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Ov  ^f 

FIRST  ORGANIZATION  OF  COLORED  TROOPS 

IN  THE  STATE   OF  NEW  YORK, 

T»    AID    IN 

SUPPRESSING   THE   SLAVEHOLDERS'   REBELLION. 


STATEMENTS  CONCERNLNG  THE  ORIGIN,  DIFFICULTIES  &  SUCCESS 

OF  THE  MOVEMENT: 

'  Collated  for  the  "  New  York  Association  for  Colored  Volunteers," 

By  henry   O'RIELLY,  Becrktary. 

New  York,  March,  18G4. 

The  movements  which  finally  resulted  in  the  organization  of  Colored  Troops  in  the 
State  of  New  York  were  preceded  by  efforts  ou  the  part  of  sundry  patriotic  citizens, 
which  are  deserving  of  remembrance  as  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  times. 

;  At  a  public  meeting  in  the  City  of  New  York,  called  by  sundry  well-known  loyalists, 

"  to  take  measures  for  securing  the  enlistment  of  Colored  Volunteers,"  a  Committee  was, 
on  the  3d  of  May,  18G3,  appointed  to  wait  upon  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to 
ascertain  what  facilities  would  bo  extended  by  the  National  Government  towards  the 
organization  of  such   troops   in  the  State  of  New  York.     The  Committee  consisted  of 

,    Messrs.  Edward  Gilbert,  Dexter  Fairbanks,  James  Fairman,  and  Lewis  Francis. 

\  This  Committee  obtained  an  interview  with  President  Lincoln  on  the  9th  of  June, 

r^iind  on  that  occasion  presented  the  following  Memorial : 

%    To  His  Excellency,  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  States  : 

Extensive  observation  and  inquiry  among  the  colored  population  of  the  Free  States 
have  convinced  3-our  memorialists  of  the  patriotism  and  devotion  of  this  portion  of 
^  our  fellow-citizens,  and  of  their  willingness  to  bear  their  full  share  of  the  biuxlens, 
■"  dangers,  and  privations  of  the  war  against  the  rebellion.  They  are  willing  to  volunteer 
for  the  service,  upon  the  requisite  assurance  that  they  will  be  placed  under  leaders  in 
sympathy  with  the  movement.  Indeed,  such  is  their  intense  enthusiasm  and  patriotism, 
that  if  the  assurance  can  be  given  them,  that  upon  their  enlistment  they  will  be  in 
active  service  under  the  command  of  Major-Gencral  John  C.  Fremont,  your  memorialists 
are  confident  that  a  force  of  at  least  10,000  could  be  placed  under  enlistment  within 
sixty  days,  forming  a  Grand  Army  of  Liberation,  swelling  in  numbers  as  they  pass 
along,  thus  giving  elfectivertess  to  the  Proclamation  of  January,  1808. 

Pledges  of  enlistment,  conditioned  upon  these  assurances  being  given,  have  already 
been  obtained  to  the  number  of  3,000  names. 
P  Your  memorialists,  therefore,  respectfully  petition  your  Excellency  to  place  John 

-  C.  Fremont  in  a  suitable  command,  and  accept  the  10,000  troops  offered  as  above,  atid 
2  that  the  necessary  orders  may  be  issued  to  secure  the  organization  and  mustering  of 
the  troops  into  the  service  of  the  United  States;  that  a  rendezvous  be  named  and 
^  instructions  given  to  the  local  military  agents  of  the  United  States  to  furnish  tho  ma- 
\1    terials  and  facilities  required  for  these  purposes. 

(Signed.)         JOHN  E.  AVILLIAMS,       WM.  CULLEN  BRYANT, 
,  HORACE  GREELEY,       WM.  CURTIS  NO  YES, 

Q  DANL.  S.  DICKINSON,   PETER  COOPER, 

«J  EDWARD  HAIGIIT,        MORRIS  KETCH  UM, 

V       '  EDGAR  KETCH  UM,        PARKE  GODWIN, 

"'  HENRY  C.  GARDINER,  EDWARD  A.  STANSBURY, 

HOSMER  liUSHNELL. 

The  friends  of  the  movement  held  a  meeting  in  the  Church  of  the  Puritans,  in  New 
York,  when  the  following  opinions  were  expressed  : 

liesohed.  That  it  is  the  conviction  of  this  meeting  that,  in  view  of  the  cause,  origin 
and  progress  of  the  Rebellion  in  our  land,  the  time  has  arrived  when  the  dictates  of 
justice,  humanity  and  expediency  unite  in  admonishing  us  to  encourage  and  labor  to 
obtain  a  general  arming  of  the  Loyal  Men  of  the  Union,  without  reference  to  color, 
as  a  means  calculated  to  accomplish  the  greatest  good,  in  the  best  manner,  to  our  be- 
loved country,  in  this,  the  hour  of  her  trial. 


\ 


^cm 


L'esohed,  That  considerations  of  humanity,  as  well  as  elfcctivcness,  warrant  us  in 
declaring  that  we  regard  the  military  co-operation  of  the  emancipated  Slaves  of  the 
South  as  a  uK-ans  which  will  secure  the  earliest  triumph  to  our  countiy  in  its  contest 
with  Slavery  in  Rebellion,  as  well  as  give  the  best  guarantee  of  permanent  security  and 
peace  in  the  future. 

lusolveJ,  That,  as  an  instrumentality  to  tliis  end,  we  view  the  organization  of  a 
largo  force  of  Colored  Volunteers  from  the  Loyal  States,  viulcr^  the  command  oj 
leialers  in  symjKtthy  with  the  movement,  as  calculated  to  improve  contidence  and  secure 
co-operation  in  a  degree  which  we  can  attach  to  no  other  available  agency,  and  there- 
fore should  be  encouraged  by  the  practical  action  of  the  Government. 

Jiesoheil,  That  we  consider  it  to  be  the  duty  of  every  true  citizen  and  soldier  of  the 
Republic  to  facilitate  such  a  movement  with  every  energy  they  possess,  that  the  vast 
conspiracy  against  the  life  and  liberties  of  our  country— too  extensive  in  crime  for  the 
functions  of  the  common  hangman — may  receive  its  death-blow  from  the  hands  they 
seek  to  enslave. 

liemhed,  That  in  view  of  the  red  page  of  our  history,  written  in  the  blood  tif  a 
heroic  people  in  the  recent  conflict  at  Port  Hudson,  it  needs  no  asseveration  on  our  part 
to  prove  that  the  black  man  will  fight. 

licsohid.  That  we  here  pledge  our  best  efforts  to  give  complete  and  speedy  success 
to  the  scheme  presented  to  the  Government  l)y  our  deputation,  and  we  will  look  with 
impatient  zeal  to  the  Goverment  lor  the  word  that  will  speak  an  immense  army  into 
existence,  and  give  a  significance  to  the  President's  Proclamation  of  January,  1863,  that 
will  inspire  with  energy  and  hope  the  heart  of  every  true  friend  of  our  country. 

The   President's  Reply. 

The  reply  of  President  Lincoln  to  the  above-named  Committee,  after  referring  to  a 
proi)Osed  command  for  Gen.  Fremont,  was  substantially  to  this  effect : — 

That,  AS  GOV.  SEYMOUR  TS  GOVERNOR  OF  A  LOYAL  STATE,  the  Na- 
tional Government  declined  to  act  in  reference  to  Colored  enlistments  in  that  State, 
UNTIL  IT  COULD  BE  SHOWN  THAT  GOV.  SEYMOUR,  under  his  own  signature, 
REFUSED  TO  ENCOURAGE  VOLUNTEERING  IN  THAT  WAY. 

First  and  Second  Applications  to  Gov.  Seymour. 
A  memorial  to  the  Governor  of  the  State  of  New  York,  in  reference  to  the  proposed 
organization  of  Colored  Troops,  as  a  part  of  the  (]uota  of  the  State  for  reinforcing  the 
armies  in  the  Held,  was  sent  about  the  s:ime  time  to  Governor  Seymour.  To  this  respect- 
ful application,  no  reply  was  received. 

But,  persevering  in  the  object,  the  Committee  sent  another  copy  of  the  request  for 
authority  to  organize  a.  brigade  of  Colored  Volunteers,— to  be  commanded  by  "  any 
other  jierson,''  who  might  be  selected  by  the  Governor,  if  the  officer  named  by  the  me- 
morialists was  not  acceptable  to  his  Excellency,  as  stated  in  the  letter  of  Mr.  Lewis 
Franci.s,  of  August  13th.     These  papers  were  in  the  following  terms  : 

New  York  City,  July  9,  1863. 
To  I/i.H  Krcellrnry  UoRATio  Seymour,  (rO^iernor  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

The  undersigned  would  respectfully  ask  your  Excellency  to  appoint  Colonel  James 
Fail-man  a  Colonel,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  brigade  of  Colored  Volunteers  for  the 
war,  knowing  him  to  bo  a  man  every  way  (jualified  for  the  purpose,  from  his  "record  " 
at  Washington,  he  having  raised  the  90th  Regiment  N.  Y.  V.,  at  Plattsburg,  and  re- 
signed, on  account  of  ill  health,  from  injuries  received  in  the  field. 
Respectfully  yours,     JAS.  BLACK,  92  William  Street. 

TIIOS.  J.  HALL,  71  East  IGth  Street. 
J.  W.  ALDEN,  lUi  William  Street. 
CHAS.  SULLIVAN,  Df  Heekman  Street. 
FRANK  AV.  BALLARD,  lOtt  Broadway. 
F.  II.  JENNY,  95  East  15th  Street. 
EDWARD  GILBERT. 
LEWIS  FRANCIS,  45  Maiden  Lane. 
BRADIIURST  SCIIIEFFELIN,  170  William  Street. 
[The  JULY  RIOTS,  with  their  horrors,  indicated  .some  of  the  .schemes  and  difficul- 
ties which  at  that  lime  opposed  the  enlistment  of  loyal  Colored  Volunteers,  and,  indeed, 
of  soldiers  of  any  kind  for  the  National  Defeni;e.] 


4 


New  York,  August  13,  1863. 
To  His  Excellency  Horatio  Seyjiouk,  Governor  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

Sir:  In  presenting  this  petition,  I  would  say  that  I  have  given  the  subject  some 
considerable  attention,  and  have  no  doubt  that  if  Colonel  James  Fairman,  or  any  other 
person  known  to  he  in  sympathy  with  the  movement  of  nsiny  Colored  Tfoojis  in  the  sup- 
pression of  the  Rebellion,  be  appointed  by  you  to  recruit  such  troops,  at  least  four  thou- 
sand Colored  Volunteers  can  be  raised  in  this  State,  thereby  saving  that  number  of  white 
citizens  from  the  draft. 

If  fticilities  are  not  offered  them  to  inlist  in  this  State,  they  will  go  to  neighboring 
ones,  and  will  be  lost  in  the  (juota  as  New  York  State  troops. 

Since  the  Government's  guarantee  of  protection  to  colored  soldiers,  they  are  rap- 
idly enlisting  in  other  States,  from  New  York. 

I  sent  you  a  similar  petition  about  two  months  since,  and  having  received  no  an- 
swer, I  beg  you  will  fiivor  me  with  a  reply  to  this,  as  great  efforts  have  been  made  to 
prepare  our  colored  citizens,  and  I  think  good  to  the  nation  will  result  from  the  mea- 
sure. Very  respectfully, 

LEWIS  FRANCIS,  45  Maiden  Lane. 

But,  even  to  these  repeated  respectful  appeals,  no  reply  was  received  fioni  Gov- 
ernor Seymour. 

LeTTEK  FJiOM  THE  SOLICITOR  OF  THE  WaR  DEPARTMENT. 

Wliile  waiting  in  suspense  for  authority  from  the  Governor  to  raise  Colored  Troops 
to  be  cjedited  as  a  part  of  the  quota  of  this  State,  the  friends  of  the  movement  were 
cheered  by  hearty  responses  from  sundry  quarters — of  which  the  following  reply  to  an 
invitation  to  attend  a  convention  at  Poughkcepsie,  for  promoting  the  organization  of 
Colored  Volunteers,  may  be  taken  as  a  specimen — the  high  personal  character  of  the 
writer  adding  importance  to  the  prominent  position  he  occupies  under  the  National 
Government.  It  is  understood  that,  in  this  letter,  the  writer  expressed  the  general  views 
of  President  Lincoln  : 

Letter  of  the  Hon.  Wuj.iasi  Whiting,  Solicitor  to  the  War  department. 

War  Department,  AVashington  City,  July  10,  18li3. 

Dear  Sir  : — Your  letter,  under  date  of  July,  has  been  received,  in  which  you  have 
done  me  the  honor  to  invite  me,  on  behalf  of  the  Fremont  Legion,  to  address  the  grand 
Mass  Convention  of  Colored  Citizens,  to  be  held  at  Poughkcepsie  on  the  15th  and  16th 
instant,  and  in  which  you  desire  me  to  answer  certain  inquiries  in  relation  to  troops  of 
xVfrican  descent.  Other  engagements  render  it  impossible  for  me  to  be  present  on  that 
occasion,  but  I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  of  expressing  my  respect  and  sympathy 
for  those  who  now,  for  the  first  time  within  the  present  century,  have  determined  to 
vindicate  their  right  to  be  treated  as  patriots, — sharing  in  the  toils,  dangers  and  sacri- 
fices of  that  great  nation  of  which  the3'  constitute  so  important  a  part. 

Courage,  endurance,  and  disinterested  heroism  are  qualtics  of  all  brave  men,  what- 
ever may  be  their  lineage.  No  names  yet  stand  upon  the  roll  of  honor  more  brilliant  or 
illustrious  than  those  of  Hannibal  and  Touissant  L'Overture.  Give  to  those  Americans, 
who  claim  as  their  fatherland  the  continent  that  gave  birth  to  the  conqueror  of  Rome, 
the  arms  and  discipline  of  the  well-trained  soldier,  and  they  will  give  back  to  the  cause 
of  the  countiy  all  the  elements  of  military  power.  Such  is  the  teaching  of  history — 
such  the  testimony  of  experience; 

What  has  the  Africo-American  to  fight  for?  He  fights  for  that  land  which,  now 
about  to  be  freed  from  the  curse  of  slaver}^  will  be  to  him  "his  country."  In  rallying 
round  the  flag  of  the  Union,  he  adds  strength  and  support  to  the  noble  aiinies  of  the 
West  and  of  the  East,  who,  on  the  fields  of  Vicksburg  and  Gettysburg,  have  added  fresh 
laurels  to  their  imperishable  fame. 

Not  alone  for  his  country's  honoi-,  not  for  empire,  not  for  conquest,  not  alone  for  the 
crushing  of  RebeUion,  is  the  African's  ))lade  unsheathed.  He  tights  for  the  honor  and 
manhood  of  his  race,  for  justice,  humanity,  and  freedom.  When  love  of  country  and  of 
fame,  when  thirst  for  justice  and  a  sense  of  wrongs  yet  unavenged,  shall  nerve  the  arm 
and  fire  the  blood  already  kindled  by  the  flames  of  freedom,  how  is  it  possible  that  the 
soldier  can  be  otherwise  than  brave  and  terrible  in  battle,  whtm  slavery  and  death  are 
behind  him,  and  life  and  liberty  lie  only  in  the  path  to  victory  V  Let  history  answer 
this  question.     Read  your  answer  in  the  bloody  battles  of  tlxe  Revolution,  where  negro 


soldiers  bore  a  part  so  noble  that  General  Washington,  publicly  and  at  the  head  of  his 
army,  acknowledged  their  gallantry.  Remember  the  honor  paid  by  General  Jackson 
to  the  heroic  regiment  of  colored  men  who  aided  in  the  defense  of  New  Orleans.  Let 
the  battles  on  the  Atlantic  coast  and  the  storming  of  forts  on  the  Mississippi  answer. 
Their  bravery  rccjiUs  the  memory  of  the  world-renowned  battle  of  Marathon,  in  which 
one-tenth  of  those  who  fought  and  won  imperishable  honor  were  slaves  "  unchained 
from  the  doorposts  of  their  masters." 

AVill  the  colored  men  respond  to  the  invitation  of  the  Government  ? 

They  are  now  springing  up  like  dragon's  teeth,  from  the  soil  into  which  they  have 
been  crushed.  Masters  of  the  ground  they  tread  upon,  they  are  sweeping  forward  in 
steady,  solid  legions.  Forty  thousand  strong  arc  already  in  the  service.  They  are  des- 
tined to  wield  the  sword  of  just  retribution, — to  teach  their  former  masters,  on  many  a 
bloody  battle-field,  by  many  a  rout  and  swift  pursuit,  which  of  them  is  "  of  the  superior 
race." 

The  military  organization  of  Colored  Troops,  removing  all  danger  of  insurrectionary 
movements,  will  regulate,  control  and  utilize  the  physical  force  of  the  only  "genuine 
Union  men"  in  the  Gulf  States.  The  greatest  war  power  of  treason  will  becoine  the  most 
efficient  defense  of  the  Union,  and  while  it  will  smother  rebellion,  it  will  destroy  the 
curse  that  caused  it. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  the  AVar  Department  issued  a  General  Order  (No.  143)  estab- 
lishing a  bureau  in  the  Adjutant-General's  office  for  the  organization  of  Colored  Regi- 
ments, whereby  the  system  of  employing  them  as  part  of  the  forces  of  the  United  States 
has  become  the  fixed  and  permanent  policy  of  the  Government.  That  policy,  sanctioned 
by  Congress,  carried  into  practical  effect  by  the  Government,  has  been  approved  by  the 
general  consent  of  wise  and  patriotic  men.  The  country  cannot  afford  to  lose  the  aid  of 
its  best  and  chief  supporters  in  the  South. 

The  employment  of  Colored  Troops,  it  is  true,  was  in  the  beginning  experimental. 
The  law  of  1862,  which  first  authorized  them  to  enter  the  service,  provided  no  means  of 
payment. 

The  second  law,  which  permitted  their  employment,  authorized  them  to  be  paid  ten 
dollars  per  month  and  one  ration  per  day.  This  law  was,  however,  made  with  reference 
to  those  who  by  force  of  arms,  or  by  provisions  of  statutes,  had  been  recently  freed  from 
bondage. 

The  important  class  of  colored  soldiers  from  the  Free  States  were  probably  not  in 
the  contemplation  of  Congress  when  framing  these  Acts.  But  now,  while  colored  men 
are  admitted  to  be  citizens  of  several  of  the  Northern  States  and  of  the  United  States, 
and  since  the  Conscription  Act  makes  no  distinction  between  white  and  colored  citizens, 
but  requires  them  equally  to  be  enrolled  and  drafted  in  the  forces  of  the  United  States, 
there  seems  to  be  no  reason  why  such  citizens  should  not,  when  volunteering  to  serve 
the  country,  be  placed  upon  the  same  footing  with  other  soldiers  as  regards  their  pay  and 
bounty. 

The  attention  of  Congress  will  be  directed  to  this  subject,  and  from  the  generous 
manner  in  which  they  have  ti'cated  the  soldiers  heretofore,  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  they 
will  honor  themselves  by  doing  full  justice  to  those  of  every  color,  who  rally  round  the 
Union  flag  in  time  of  public  danger. 

But  I  do  not  forget  that  the  colored  soldiers  are  not  fighting  for  pay.  They  will  not 
let  their  enemies  reproach  them  with  being  mean,  as  well  as  cowardly.  They  will  not 
lose  this,  their  first  chance,  to  vindicate  their  right  to  be  called  and  treated  as  men.  Pay 
or  no  pay,  they  will  rally  round  that  banner  of  freedom  which  shall  soonjtoat  over  a 
country  thut  contains  no  slave  within  its  borders. 

The  policy  of  the  Government  is  fixed  and  immovable.  Congress  has  passed  the  ir- 
revocable Acts  of  p]mancipation.  The  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  have  unani- 
mously decided  that,  since  July  13,  1801,  we  have  been  cngagedin  a  territorial  civil  war, 
and  have  full  belligerent  rights  against  the  inhabitants  of  the  rebellious  districts.  The 
President  has  issued  proclamations  under  his  hand  and  seal.  Ahrnhon  Lincoln 
takes  no  bacAwurd  i>ttp.  A  man  once  m»de  free  by  law  cannot  be  again  made  a  slave. 
The  Government  has  no  jjower,  if  it  hail  the  will,  to  do  it.  Omnipotence  alone  can 
re-enslave  a  freeman.  Fear  not  that  the  Admmistration  will  ever  take  the  back  track. 
The  President  wishes  the  aid  of  all  Americans,  of  whatever  descent  or  color,  to  defend 
the  country.  He  wishes  every  citizen  to  share  the  perils  of  the  contest,  and  to  reap  the 
fruits  of  victory.  Very  respectfullv,  vour  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  WHITING. 
Edward  Gilbert,  Esq.,  New  York  City. 


FuKTHEK  Appeals  to  Gov.  Seymock. 
Resolved  to  persevere,  notwithstanding  the  non-reception  of  reply  to  their  for- 
mer appeals  to  the  State  Executive,  the  friends  of  the  movement  again  deputed  ;i  co«n- 
mittee  to  address  the  Governor  personally.  For  this  purpose,  Mr.  Requa,  of  Albany, 
called  upon  Ilis  Excellency  again  in  October,  when  a  brief  letter  was  elicited,  which 
letter  will  be  found  embodied  in  the  comments  which  the  New  York  Evening  Post  made 
upon  the  subject.  The  entire  article  from  that  journal  is  here  inserted,  as  a  cotempora- 
neous  view  of  the  course  pursued  by  the  memorialists  and  by  the  Governor: 

From  the  New  Yorh  Evening  Post,  Oct.  14,  1863. 

"  In  June  last  several  gentlemen  in  this  city,  wishing  to  help  in  filling  up  oui-  ar- 
luios,  took  measures  for  raising  several  Negro  Regiments.  They  sent  a  immber  of  agents 
through  the  State  to  inquire  into  the  disposition  of  the  colored  people,  and  ascertain 
the  number  who  would  probably  enlist.  The  reports  of  these  agents  showed  that  at  that 
time  about  five  thousand  colored  men  could  have  been  mustered  in.  This  wouUl  have 
made  an  important  addition  to  the  State's  quota  of  troops.  The  persons  in  question 
therefore  applied  to  Governor  Seymour  to  authorize  an  effort  to  raise  a  negro  brigade. 
This  application  was  made  as  long  ago  as  the  9th  of  July,  and  we  have  before  us  the 
Governor's  answer,  dated  October  7th  ;  so  that  three  months,  less  two  days,  were  re- 
(juired  by  him  to  make  up  his  mind  whether  or  not  he  should  authorize  the  addition  to 
the  armies  of  the  Union  of  at  least  one  full  brigade  of  able-bodied  soldiers.  This  would 
not  only  have  benefited  the  cause  to  that  extent,  but  would  have  placed  just  so  many 
thousand  men  to  the  credit  of  the  State,  to  the  relief  of  that  number  of  white  citizens 
from  draft. 

"After  ninety  days  of  delay  and  evasion,  the  Governor  was  at  last  brought  to  bay 
by  the  persistence  of  the  gentleman  who  was  charged  with  soliciting  his  consent,  and 
wrote  the  following  reply  : 

"  '  State  of  New  York  Executive  Department,  } 
Albany,  October  7th,  1863.  ( 

"  '  Mr.  Requa  has  called  upon  me  a  number  of  times  with  your  request  that  an  au- 
thorization be  given  to  Colonel  James  Fairman  to  raise  a  Negro  Regiment. 

"  '  I  do  not  deem  it  advisable  to  give  such  authorization,  and  I  have  therefore 
declined  to  do  it.  Truly  yours,  &c., 

" '  Horatio  Seymour. 
'"To  Messrs.  E.  Gilbert,  L.  Francis,  and  others.' 

"In  a  letter  of  Mr.  Requa  he  adds:  '  In  my  interviews  with  the  Governor,  in  com- 
pany with  others,  he  expressed,  in  the  most  unequivocal  manner,  his  disapproval  of  the 
system  of  raising  negro  regiments  to  aid  in  putting  down  the  rebellion,  both  as  a  mat- 
ter of  principle  and  poHcy — especially  so  in  the  northern  States.' 

"The  armies  of  the  Union  need  to  be  filled  up;  Governor  Seymour's  friends  resist 
a  draff,  and  he  does  not  discourage  them  in  their  opposition.  There  is  a  source  whence 
several  thousand  able-bodied  men  can  be  got ;  the  Governor  is  asked  to  authorize  the 
raising  of  these  men,  to  be  counted  in  the  State's  quota  ;  and  he  refuses.  What  are  we 
to  think  ?  Has  he  changed  his  mind  about  the  draft  ?  Does  he  want  to  force  on  an- 
other draft  V  Does  he  really  think  black  men  so  much  better  than  white  men  that  the 
latter  ought  to  be  sent  to  the  war,  while  the  negroes  arc  kept  safely  at  home  ?  Else, 
why  does  Governor  Seymour  tnake  himself  the  special  protector  of  the  blacks  ?  Is  it 
that  he  intends,  by  all  means  in  his  power,  to  prevent  volunteering,  and  make  another 
draft  necessary  V  or  is  it  that  he  desires  the  Union  armies  to  be  deprived  of  needed  re- 
inforcements, and  leave  them  at  the  mercy  of  superior  rebel  numbers? 

"  The  people  of  the  State  want  to  know  the  Governor's  intentions  towards  their 
brothers  and  sons  now  in  the  army,  and  he  ought  to  explain  himself;  for  it  is  not 
pleasant  to  think  that  he  is  playing  a  treacherous  part  towards  them,  and  abandoning 
them  to  the  tender  mercies  of  men  in  revolt  against  the  nation. 

'•  In  the  meantime,  we  will  point  out  to  the  people  this  fact,  that  other  States,  whose 
Governors  are  more  careful  of  the  interests  of  the  citizens,  and  more  zealous  for  the 
Union  cause,  arc  profiting  at  our  expense,  through  the  policy  of  Governor  Seymour. 
While  the  Governor  was  delaying  his  answer,  and  endeavouring  by  all  manner  of  pleas 
to  avoid  committing  himself  upon  the  question — in  these  ninety-days  of  his  delibera- 
tion not  less  than  six  hundred  able-bodied  colored  men  left  the  State  and  enlisted  in 
Rhode  Island.     In  the  same  period  some  four  hundred  more  left  here  and  entered  regi- 


G 

ments  in  Massachusetts  and  Pennsylvania.  Thus  we  have  already  lost  a  full  regiment 
through  the  inefficiency  or  perversity  of  the  tiovernor— a  full  regiment,  which  would 
have  been  counted  in  tl»e  quota  of  the  State.  What  do  the  people  of  New  York  think 
of  ^liis  ?  Governor  Seymour  may  not  be  able  to  do  much  to  ai«i  his  rebel  friends  and 
former  political  allies,  but  he  does  what  he  can.  During  the  last  canvass  he  blew  hot 
and  cold  on  the  .iue>lion  of  Union  ;  promised  Fernando  Wood  and  his  followers  to  op- 
pose the  war,  aii<l  engaged  himself  to  Loyal  Democrats  to  support  it.  We  warned  the 
people  then  that  he  would  be  true  only  to  the  peace  and  pro-slavery  wing  of  his  sup- 
porters, and  he  has  proved  our  words  true  to  the  extent  of  his  abilities." 

Thus  much  {»r  the  editorial  statements  of  the  New  York  Ecmimj  Po^t. 

In  connection  With  the  long-continued  per.severance  of  the  above-named  Commit- 
tee, in  endeavoring,  through  several  months,  to  ascertain  duttinctly  what  Governor 
Seymour's  views  were  on  the  important  subject  .of  enlisting  Colored  Volunteers,  it 
should  be  recollected  that  an  explicit  declaration  of  his  j>olicy  was  deemed  proper  by 
the  National  Government  as  a  condition  precedent  to  any  action  on  the  subject  in  the 
State  of  New  York  by  the  President  or  Secretary  of  ^Var  ;  for,  in  June,  President  Lm- 
coln  declared  to  that  Committee,  substantially,  "  That,  as  Governor  Seymour  is  Governor 
of  a  Loyal  State,  the  National  Government  declined  to  act  in  reference  to  Colored  En- 
listments in  that  State,  until  it  could  be  shown  that  Governor  Seymour,  under  his  own 
sio-naturc,  refused  to  encourage  volunteering  in  that  way."  Gov.  Seymour,  after  re- 
peated applications  for  months,  finally  stated,  in  his  letter  of  October  7lh,  above  print- 
ed, that  he  did  "not  deem  it  advisable  to  give  such  authorizations"  (for  raising  a  Ne- 
gro regiment),  "and  therefore  declined  to  do  it." 

The  Association  for  Pkomoting  Colokeu  Volunteerino. 
Such  was  the  state  of  the  case,  when  the  emergencies  of  the  times  occasioned  the 
issue  of  the  following  Address   to   the  People  of  New  York— among  the  signatures  to 
which  will  be  recognized  those  of  many  prominent  citizens  : — 
To  THE  People  of  New  Youk. 

New  York,  November  9,  1863. 
Fellow  Citizens  :— New  York  State  has  but  a  few  weeks  within  which  to  raise  her 
quota  of  over  one  hundred  thousand  men  by  volunteering.  ,r      i  u 

If  we  allow  our  citizens  to  be  drawn  awav  by  superior  inducements  offered  by  other 
States  we  lo.se  them  in  making  up  our  quota, "and  the  diaft  will  fall  heavily  upon  those 
who  are  left.  Or,  if  we  rai.se  the  men  by  volunteering  at  the  last  hour,  we  shall  have 
to  pay  larger  bounties  and  heavier  taxes. 

Let  us  move  in  this  matter  without  delay.  Other  States  are  fast  taking  our  men  to 
fill  their  quotas,  especially  our  colored  men.  Several  thousands  of  these  may  be  added 
to  the  strength  of  our  army,  and  also  saved  to  the  quota  of  our  State,  by  a  prompt  and 
vi"'orous  movement.     Our   country's  interest  and  self-interest  here  unite. 

°  All  who  are  in  favor  of  supporting  the  Government  and  preserving  the  interestsand 
honor  of  our  State,  are  invited  to  attend  a  Preliminary  Meeting  at  Room  No.  5  Clinton 
Hall,  at  8  o'clock  on  Monday  evening,  November  16,  18G3,  to  take  measures  for  uu- 
mediatc  practical  action. 

Peter  Cooper,  Henry  W.  Bellows,      Frederic  Sherwood,      J.  W.  V,.  Smith. 

Maj-General  Daniel  E.Dr.  Charles  Kessman,Lewis  Roberts,  Henry  Kimball, 

Sickles,  U.  S.  Vols. Charles  Sears,  Josiah  M.  Fiske,  Wm.  Hunt, 

:\Iorris  Ketchum,         Sydney  Howard  Gay,Alfic(l  M.  Hugli,  J.  W.IIair, 

Wm.  Curtis  Noycs,     Theodore  Tilton,  G.  H.  Roberts,  tJ.  Gay, 

Fred.  S.  Talmadgc,      J.Thompson,  ,J.  B.  Ilenick,  W.  S.  Stover, 

John  Cochrane,  C.  E.  Detmold,  Henry  Rawlcs,  J.  K.  Ingalls, 

William  E.  Dodge,       Parke  Godwin,  Henry  Hill,  M.  Esterly, 

Israel  Corse,  Hiram  Harney,  Jas.  O.  Rennett,  Robert  T.  Shannon, 

David  Dudley  Field,    Frederick  Kapp,  John  J.  llerrick,  N.  Mun  'ay, 

flco   Cabot  Ward,        R.  II.  Manning,  Paul  (Jrout,  John  Holden, 

Wm.  C.  Bryant,  P.T.  Bainum,  Wm.  A.  Brown.  H.  Wdliams, 

James  McKaye,'  James   Kelly,  Davi.l  Dows,  Geo.  W.  Rose, 

H  J   Raymond,  A.  M.  Palmer,  David  Packer,  E.  ."M.  \oung, 

Herman  Raster,  Benj.  F.  Lee,  E.  A.  Packer.  Jackson  S.  Schult.s 

Huch  \llen  Edward  Cromwell,      C.  P.  Bronson,  S.  Isham, 

F.  F.  Thompson,  W.  H.  Gedncy,  Clark  Orvis. 


The  results  of  this  call  are  briefly  stated  in  the  accounts  given  by  several  of  the 
newspapers — one  of  which  statements  is  here  quoted  : 

From  the  New  Toi'Tc  Tribune,  of  Nosemher  nth,  18G3. 
Important  Meeting  to  Encourage  Enlistments. 
A  numerous  and  influential  meeting  for  the  above  purpose  was  held,   pursuant  to 
the  call  of  a  large  number  of  our  most  prominent  citizens,  at  Clinton  Hall,  last  evening. 
There  was  a  good  attendance,  and  the  proceedings  were  entirely  harmonious.     Gen.  W. 
K.  Strong,  being  unanimously  called  to  the  chair,  read  the  preamble  and  resolutions 
setting  forth  the  purpose  of  the  organization,  of  which  this  meeting,  was  the  first  step, 
to  strengthen  the  military  power  both  by  white  and  colored  soldiers  of  the  Government; 
to  secure  justice  to  all  who  enlist ;  to  inform  them  of  their  duties  and  rights  as  soldiers, 
and  to  make  the  men,  white  or  black,  feel  that  they  were  backed  up  by  friends  at  home. 
These  objects  would  be  carried  out  by  a  committee  of  twenty-five.     As  Governor  Sey- 
mour had  refused  to  authorize  colored  enlistments,  a  sub-committee  was  to  wait  upon 
the  President  to  endeavor  to  induce  him  to  take  action  in  the  premises.    A  mas  meeting 
was  to  be  held  at  as  early  a  day  as  such  could  be  arranged.     The  money  received  by 
the  Government  for  commutation  under  the  draft  ought,  or  a  part  of  it,  to  be  expended 
in  bounties.     A  committee  of  lawyers  was  to  be  formed  to  consult  as  to  the  extent  of 
the  power  of  the  Government  in  relation  to  enlisting  negroes.     Free  drill  rooms  were  to 
be  established  in  the  city,  &c.    All  the  foregoing  was  embodied  in  the  resolutions  which 
were  unanimously  passed  by  the  meeting.      Pending  their  adoption.  General  Strong 
made  a  vigorous  and  eloquent  speech.    He  was  in  Egypt  when  the  war  broke  out,  being 
then  in  the  first  year  of  a  three  years'  visit  to  the  various  countries  of  Europe — a  visit 
undertaken  for  the  express  purpose  of  comparing  their  Governments  with  our  own.     In 
no  case  had  he  found  a  people  whose  condition,  Government,   institutions,  and   oppor- 
tunities were  equal  to  those  of  America.     The  General  drew  a  vivid  picture  of  the  be- 
nighted condition  of  Egypt  when  the  news  of  the  Rebellion  reached  him,  and  he  felt  in- 
dignant beyond  expression  that  the  land  which  he  had  left  peaceful  and  prosperous 
should  be  desolated  by  this  wicked  treason,  which  originated  in  oppressions  and  wrongs 
the  most  foul  that  the  world  ever  saw.     The  framers  of  the  Constitution  intended  it  to 
be  one  of  equal  rights — they  did  not  foresee  the  evils  that  have  arisen  since,  or  if  they 
did,  they  thought  the  remedy  might  be  left  to  the  wisdom  and  patriotism  of  their  pos- 
terity.    It  has  pleased  God  to  give  to  this  generation  the  work  of  cutting  up  by  the  roots 
this  gigantic  and  accursed  crime.     There  must  be  no  virus  left  to  breed  new  rebellions. 
Believing  that  his  mission  in  the  West  was  over,  no  considereable  force  being  massed 
west  of  the  Missisippi,  and  that  the  murderers  and  house-burners  would  soon  be  disposed 
of,  he  had  come  home  to  aid  in  putting  down  Copperhead  treason  in  this  city. 

The  General  was  followed  by  Adjutant  Haggerty,  who  has  been  to  the  war  with  a 
New  York  Regiment,  and  who  made  an  extremely  glowing  and  patriotic  speech,  de- 
nouncing the  action  of  Governor  Seymour,  and  claiming  that  the  Bradj's  and  the  Mea- 
ghers  should  be  regarded  as  the  representative  men  of  the  Irish  population,  and  that 
colored  men  .should  be  allowed  to  enlist.     His  remarks  were  much  applauded. 

He  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Garnett,  who  said  that,  as  a  class,  colored  men 
were  most  anxious  to  do  their  utmost  to  put  down  the  Rebellion.  Mr.  Garnett  gave  a 
description  of  the  unavailing  efforts  of  the  negroes  to  be  employed  as  soldiers  of  New 
York,  and  alluded,  in  forcible  terms,  to  the  fact  that  they  are  leaving  the  city  to  enlist 
in  Rhode  Island,  Massachusetts,  and  Connecticut,  where  they  are  not  only  appreciated, 
but  offered  large  bourjties  and  equal  rights  with  white  soldiers. 

Some  further  remarks  were  made  by  Colonel  Shannon,  Henry  O'Rielly,  and  others, 
when  the  committee  of  twenty-five,  of  which  Peter  Cooper  was  elected  President,  was 
appointed.  The  meeting,  which  was  very  enthusiastic  throughout,  did  not  adjourn  un- 
til a  late  hour. 


The  General  Committee,  appointed  to  promote  the  above-mentioned  objects,  pro- 
ceeded promptly  and  energetically  in  the  work — as  shown  in  the  following  statements : 

From  the  Times,  Trihuue,  and  Herald  of  Nov.  26,  1803. 

Course  of  the  National  and  State  Authorities  Concerning  Colored  Volunteers — 

Letters  from  Governor  Seymour  and  Secretary  Stanton. 

The  "  New  York  As.sociation  for  Colored  Volunteers,"  formed  at  a  meeting  called 

by  Peter  Cooper,  General  Sickles,  Wm.  C.  Bryant,  General  John  Cochrane,  Henry  J. 


Raymond,  Wm.  Curtis  Noyes,  "Wm.  E.  Dodge,  David  Dows,  David  Dudley  Field,  and 
many  other  citizens — of  which  meeting  General  Wm.  K.  Strong,  late  of  the  army,  was 
president — took  prompt  measures  for  ascertaining  the  views  of  the  National  and  State 
Governments  concerning  the  conditions  on  which  Colored  Troo])S  might  be  enlisted 
under  the  President's  Proclamation  for  more  volunteers.  General  Strong  was  requested 
to  telegraph  the  AVar  Department,  and  ^Ir.  James  Rodgers  went  to  Albany  to  learn 
the  views  of  Governor  Seymour  on  the  subject. 

The  callers  of  the  meeting  said:  "  If  we  allow  our  citizens  to  be  drawn  away  by 
superior  inducements  offered  by  other  States,  we  lose  them  in  making  up  our  quota, 
and  the  draft  will  fall  heavily  upon  those  who  are  left ;  or,  if  we  raise  men  by  volun- 
teerin"-  at  the  last  hour,  we  sliall  have  to  pay  large  bounties  and  heavier  taxes.  ^  Let  us 
move  ?n  this  matter  without  delay.  Other  States  are  fast  taking  our  men  to  fill  their 
quotas — especially  our  colored  men.  Several  thousand  of  these  may  be  added  to  the 
strength  of  our  army,  and  also  saved  to  the  quota  of  our  State,  by  a  prompt  and  vigor- 
ous movement.     Our  country's  interest  and  self-interest  here  unite." 

The  General  Committee  of  the  Association,  in  their  letter  to  Secretary  Stanton, 
dated  Nov.  21,  said:  "This  application  to  the  National  Government  results  from  the 
refusal  of  certain  State  functionaries  to  recognize  colored  men  in  the  call  for  volunteers, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  President's  Proclamation  makes  no  discrimination  in 
color,  and  the  additional  fact  that  that  class  of  citizens  are  subject,  like  white  men,  to  a 
draft.  .    . 

And  in  their  representations  at  Albany  it  was  added  that  "justice  and  patriotism 
alike  require  that  all  men  who  are  subject  to  draft  shall  have  equal  privilege  in  volun- 
teering under  the  President's  Proclamation  " — it  being  desirable,  also,  "  that  our  white 
fellow-citizens  shall  be  measurably  relieved  from  drafting  by  allowing  colored  citizens 
to  volunteer  for  the  war — in  the  course  of  which  war  the  colored  troops  have  evinced 
discipline  and  bravery  worthy  of  the  noble  cause  of  national  self-defense." 

Answers  have  been  received  from  Washington  and  Albany.  Under  date  of  the 
24th,  the  Secretary  of  War  says  :  "  On  application,  by  suitable  person.s  special  author- 
ity will  be  granted  to  raise  Colored  Troops  in  New  York,  according  to  the  rules  and 
regulations  relative  to  organizing  and  raising  Colored  Troops.  The  troops  so  raised  will 
he  credited  to  the  State.  Until  Congress  shall  authorize  it  no  bounty  can  be  paid,  and 
the  pay  is  limited  by  Act  of  Congress  to  ten  dollars  a  month.  The  department  will 
recommend  that,  in  this  respect,. the  Act  be  amended  so  as  to  make  the  pay  the  same 
as  for  other  colored  soldiers.  They  will  be  enrolled  as  United  Statcs^  Volunteers,  and 
the  ofiBcers  be  appointed  and  commissioned  by  the  President.  (Signed  EnwiN  M. 
Stanton,  Secretary  of  War.)"  ,   ,,     n  j 

Governor  Seymour  replies  thus  to  the  inquiry  made  through  Mr.  Kodgers:— 

"  State  of  New  Yokk  Executive  Depaktment,  [ 
Albany,  Nov.  24,  18C3.  ^ 

"  To  James  Rodgers,  Esq.,  JSFo.  421  Broadway,  N.  Y. 

"  Siu :  In  answer  to  your  inquiries  about  the  enlistment  of  Blacks,  and  the  organ- 
ization of  regiments  and  companies,  I  have  to  say  :  ,.    .      . 

«<  First— That,  under  the  State  laws  the  bounty  is  paid  to  all,  without  distinction, 
who  are  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  for  whom  credits  are  given 
to  New  York,  under  tlie  President's  call  for  troops. 

''  Second— An  to  new  organizations,  I  have  no  power  to  authorize  any,  either  for 
blacks  or  whites,  which  will  be  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  the  bounty  given  by  the  Gen- 
eral Government.  The  object  at  Washington  is  to  fill  up  the  ranks  of  the  regiments  in 
the  field  If  any  new  organizations,  for  cither  white  or  black  troops,  are  made,  they 
mvst  he  authorised  hy  the  War  Department,  to  entitle  those  who  join  them  to  the  bene- 
fit of  the  money  paid  to  volunteers.  Yours,  &c., 

"  IIoiiATio  Sevmouh. 
These  answers  are  published  for  the  information  of  the  Association  and  all  others 
interested,  and  the  co-operation  of  all  loyal  citizens  is  earnestly  invoked  in  furtherance 
of  the  objects  above-mentioned. 

liv  order  of  the  General  Committee, 

HENRY  O'RTELLY,  Secretary. 
Rooms  of  the  Association,  No.  20  Pine  Street,  Nov.  2."i,  ISf.r.. 
It  will  be  .seen  by  the  above  letter  of  Gov.  Seymour,  of  Nov.  24th,  that  the  rea.Koi.s 
for  non-action  assigned  by  the  Governor  are  diflorcnt  from  those  given  in  his  letter  of 
October  7,  before  quoted. 


9 

The  views  of  the  Association  concerning  the  employment  of  Colored  Troops 
were  bricHy  presented  to  President  Lincoln  in  a  letter  from  Peter  Cooper,  and  to  the 
Secretary  of  War  and  others  in  the  letters  from  the  Secretaryof  the  Association — which 
letters  were  as  follows: — 

Lettek  fkom  Peter  Coopek. 
To  Eis  ExcelUncy  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  Stales: 

Most  Respectf.d  Sir:  Since  I  last  had  the  honor  to  address  yon  in  January,  1862, 
the  courae;e,  skill  and  perseverance  manifested  by  you  in  your  efforts  to  maintain  and 
defend  our  union  of  States,  with  all  their  rightful  authority  and  power,  has  commanded 
my  heartfelt  gratitude,  contidence,  and  respect. 

Your  efforts  to  bring  back  the  rebel  States  to  accept  the  supremacy  of  the  Consti- 
tution and  the  laws,  with  the  general  course  of  your  Administration,  have  compelled  me 
to  believe  that  there  is  nothing  that  you  have  sought  and  desired  so  much,  as  to  know 
and  apply  the  best  means  to  secure  a  lasting  and  honorable  peace,  and  to  overcome,  with 
the  least'possible  expense  of  life  and  treasure,  a  rebellion  that  embodies  in  itself  the  sum 
of  all  that  is  vile. 

It  would  have  been  too  much  to  expect  from  any  human  being  tii.it  such  a  compli- 
cation of  ditticulties  and  dangers  as  those  you  have  encountered,  should  have  been  met 
and  overcome  without  errors  and  mistakes  as  to  the  best  means  to  restore  peace  to  our 
country. 

Our  Union  of  States,  which  has  from  the  commencement  of  the  Government  con- 
tinued to  si)read  its  protecting  shield  over  all  the  rights  reserved  to  each  of  the  indi- 
vidual States,  can  never  be  abandoned  to  the  despotism  of  Slavery,  or  the  heresy  of 
secession,  while  there  is  life  and  power  to  maintain  and  defend  it. 

In  my  letter  I  endeavored  to  show  that  nothing  but  the  corrupting  power  of  buying 
and  selling  human  beings  could  ever  so  far  demoralize  a  people  as  to  cause  them  to  del- 
uge a  nalion  in  blood,  in  order  to  perpetuate  an  institution  that  enslaves  thousands  of 
their  own  children. 

It  nuist  be  api)arent  to  all  who  desire  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  that  the  slaves 
who  now  cultivate  the  fields,  and  who  perform  a  large  portion  of  the  mechanical  labor  of 
the  South,  are  as  much  a  power  to  be  met  and  overcome  as  the  rebel  armies  that  are 
now  doing  their  utmost  to  spread  death  and  desolation  over  our  country. 

I  believe  with  you,  that  it  is  impossible  for  a  people  who  aie  determined  to  per- 
petuate Slavery  at  the  expense  of  all  the  horrors  of  a  civil  war,  to  continue  to  hold 
slaves  and  live  in  peace  with  a  Government  having  its  foundation  on  the  equal  and  ina- 
lienable rights  of  men. 

In  relation  to  the  propriety  of  the  employment  of  negroes  as  a  loar  measure  or  means 
to  conquer  the  rebellion,  I  fear  the  greatest  mistakes  of  the  war  have  been  made. 

It  has  taken  time  to  educate  the  people  to  see  and  feel  the  absolute  necessity  of 
uttacTciny  the  rebellion  in  tke  only  ioay  by  which  it  can  be  speedily  and  effectually  over- 
come, and  at  the  same  time  extinguish  a  cause  of  national  sorrow,  demoralization,  and 
di.sgrace. 

You  have  with  great  propriety  asked  the  question,  "  Why  should  negroes  do  any- 
thing for  us  if  we  will  do  nothing  for  them  ?"  You  have  rightly  said  that  "  If  they  stake 
theii^livcs  for  us  they  must  be  prompted  by  the  strongest  motives."  The  correctness 
and  wisdom  of  that  opinion  cannot  be  called  in  question. 

It  is  greatly  to  be  deplored  that  the  Government,  and  so  many  people  of  the  North, 
with  somc^of  the  ofidccrs  of  the  army,  have  been  so  slow  to  perceive  and  adopt  the  only 
effectual  means,  which  is  to  vse  the  negroes  as  a  power  by  which  this  terrible  war  of  re- 
bellion canbe  put  down. 

Those  who  have  sympathized  with  rebels  know  their  importance,  and  have  uni- 
formly raised  a  clamor  against  their  use  and  every  measure  calculated  to  strengthen 
our  own  Government,  or  to  strike  the  rebellion  in  its  weakest  place. 

It  is  cause  of  astonishment  to  all  who  realize  the  fact  that  this  desolating  war  is 
now  carried  on  against  us  by  less  than  one-third  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States. 
This  is  rendered  .still  more  astonishing  when  we  remember  that  more  than  one-half  of 
this  one-third  now  left  within  the  limit  of  the  rebel  States  arc  our  friends,  and  have  been 
at  times  ready  and  anxious  to  aid  us  so  soon  as  their  freedom  and  safety  could  be 
secured. 

I  believe  that  the  war  of  rebellion  would  have  been  short,  if,  at  the  commencement 


10 

of  the  struggle,  a  decided  policy  in   relation  to  the  employment  of  negroes  could  have 
been  adopted  and  sustained  by  the  people  of  the  North. 

It  should  have  been  a  policy  promising  freedom,  protection,  and  a  soldier's  bounty 
to  all  able-bodied  slaves  of  rebels  who  would  enlist  to  defend  the  Union,  the  Constitu- 
tion, and  the  laws  which  made  us  a  nation.  It  should  have  been  a  policy  defined  by  a 
proclamation,  to  be  constantly  kept  before  the  people,  setting  forth  the  fact  that  the  Gov- 
crnmeni  of  the  United  SUites  have  been  compelled,  in  the  most  reluctant  stlf-defcnse,  to 
adopt  these  measures,  to  meet  in  actual  war  those  States  now  in  open  rebellion  against 
all  the  rightful  authority  and  power  of  the  Nation,  thereby  forcing  on  the  Govern- 
ment the  painful  necessity  of  using  all  means  known  in  civilized  %varfare  in  order  to  put 
down  a  combination  of  wicked  men  who  aim  to  destroy  the  Union  and  to  build  upon  its 
mins  a  Government  where  "  proj)erty  shall  own  labor,"  and  of  which  the  corner-stone 
shall  be  the  enslavement  of  millions  of  human  beings. 

Our  National  Government,  after  having  organized  all  the  jiublic  lands  into  Terri- 
torial Governments,  with  the  right  to  engraft  slavery  upon  them  all,  whenever  the  people 
of  any  State  shall  so  elect,  and  after  passing  by  an  almost  unanimous  vote  in  Congress 
a  resolution  declaring  that  the  Government  had  no  intention  or  desire  to  interfere  with 
Slavery  in  any  manner  where  it  was  then  legally  held,  further  demonstrates  the  sin- 
cerity of  the  Government,  by  proposed  amendment  to  the  Constitution,  in  order  to  put 
it  forever  out  of  the  power  of  Congress  to  interfere  with  Slavery  within  the  States. 

All  these  efforts  failed  to  satisfy  the  people  of  the  South,  whose  present  Vice-Presi- 
dent, when  in  the  Convention  of  Secessionists,  defied  their  body  to  show  a  single  act  of 
the  General  Government  that  was  intended  to  oppress  or  injure  the  people  of  the  South, 
whose  leading  men  had  long  before  determined  on  a  dissolution  of  the  Union,  for  no 
better  reason" than  the  one  stated  by  John  C.  Calhoun  more  than  thirty  years  ago.  He 
then  said  their  system  of  slavery  was  an  aristocratic  system,  and  that  they  were  an 
aristocratic  people,  and  that  so  long  as  they  could  control  the  action  of  the  General  Gov- 
ernment thev  would  remain  in  it,  but  when  they  could  not,  they  would  break  it  up. 
This  they  are  now  trying  to  do  by  any  and  all  means  in  their  power. 
To  prevent  them  from  bringing  upon  our  country  and  the  world  such  a  calamity,  our 
Government  will  be  fully  justified  in  holding  out  exenj  inducement  to  slaves  of  rebels  to 
•ioift  o?«- «7'W)/ to  fight  for  their  freedom  and  independence.  The  ^poWcy  oieviploxjing 
the  negroes  in  our  defense,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  is  demanded  by  the  highest  interests  of 
the  South  as  well  as  by  the  North.  ,      r,      ,       •„ 

I  believe  that  ten  years  will  not  pass  before  the  people  of  the  South  will  erect 
monuments  to  commemorate  their  deliverance  from  the  blight  of  Slavery. 

They  will  verify  the  truth  of  what  Homer  declared  two  thousand  six  hundred  years 
ago,  when  he  said  that 

°  "  "Whatever  day  makes  man  a  slave 

Takes  half  his  worth  avpay." 

I  for  one,  envy  not  the  man  who,  to  save  a  nation's  life,  will  not  say :  Perish 
Slavery— ])erish  idl  that  stands  in  the  way  of  nmiiitaininQ  the  freedom  and  independence 
that  our   Union  was  intended  to  secure. 

Hoping  that  our  Government  will  always  contend  for  those  measures  best  calcula- 
ted to  establish  justice  and  promote   the  general  welfare,  1  remain,  with  great  respect, 

y«"^^"^"^'  PETER  COOPER. 

APPLICATION    TO   TOE    SECRETaHV    OF    WAR. 

Rooms  of  the  New  Yokk  Association  fok  Coloued  Volunteeks,  ^ 
2(3  Pine  Street,  New  York,  Nov.  21,  1863.  ^ 

ITon.  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War,  Washington. 

Siu:  At  a  meeting  of  the  General  Committee  of  the  New  York  Association  for 
Colored  Volunteers— an  Association  formed  imder  the  annexed  call  from  Peter  Cooper, 
General  Sickles,  and  many  other  well-known  citizens — it  was  Rusolred : 

That  General  AV .  K.  Strong,  late  of  the  United  States  Army,  be  requested  to  tele- 
graph to  the  War  Department  to  know  whether  the  President  will  authorize  the  enlist- 
ment of  Colored  Volunteers  in  this  State,  and  c?-t<//7  ^/i<-»t  on  the  quota  of  this  State, 
under  the  President's  Proclamation  for  more  volunteers  in  suppressing  the  rebellion. 

This  application  to  the  National  Government  results  from  the  refusal  of  certain 
State  functionaries  to  recognize  colored  men  in  the  call  for  rolnnteers,  notwithstanding 
the  fact  that  the  President's  Proclamation  makes  no  discrimination  in  color,  and  the 
additional  fact  that  that  class  of  citizens  are  subject,  like  white  men,  to  a  draft. 


11 

The  brevity  of  the  time  left  for  volunteering,  and  an  earnest  desire  on  our  part  to 
aid  in  reinforcing  the  National  Armies  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment,  will  probably 
furnish  apology  for  this  General  Committee  asking  an  early  answer  to  the  foregoing 
interrogatory. 

By  order  of  the  New  York  Association  for  Colored  Volunteers, 

HENRY  O'RIELLY,  Secretary. 
Menun'anda  concerning  the  Visit  of  Mr.  James  Rodgers  to  Albany,  to  learn  the  Views 
of  Gov.  Sey.modr  aiout  Colored  Troops. 
Rooms  of  the  New  York  Association  for  Colored  Volunteers,  ( 
26  Pine  Street,  New  York,  Nov.  23,  1863.  $ 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern  : 

The  "  New  York  Association  for  Colored  Volunteers,"  formed  at  a  meeting  in  Clin- 
ton Hall,  under  a  call  from  Peter  Cooper,  General  Sickles,  and  seventy  other  prominent 
citizens — of  which  meeting  General  W.  K.  Strong  was  president— appointed  a  General 
Committee  to  promote  enlistments  for  reinforcing  our  armies — of  which  Committee  Mr. 
James  Rodgers  is  a  member. 

Personally,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Association,  Mr.  Rodgers  feels  so  deeply  inter- 
ested in  advancing  the  above-mentioned  patriotic  object,  that  he  has  volunteered  his 
services  to  visit  Albany,  and  ascertain,  by  another  application,  whether  Governor  Sey- 
mour will  authorize  the  reception  of  Colored  Volunteers.  As  the  President's  Proclama- 
tion for  more  volunteers  makes  no  discrimination  in  the  color  of  loyalists  who  are  wil- 
ling to  volunteer  in  suppressing  the  rebellion,  and  as  colored  men  are  subject  (like 
white  men)  to  a  draft,  this  General  Committee  trusts  that  no  impediments  will  be 
thrown  in  the  way  of  colored  men  who  are  willing  to  comply  with  the  President's  de- 
mand for  volunteers,  and  thus  share  promptly  in  the  toil  and  danger  of  sustaining  our 
National  Government  in  the  battle-fields  of  the  rebellion. 

Justice  and  patriotism  alike  require  that  all  men  who  are  subject  to  a  draft,  shall 
have  equal  privileges  in  volunteering  under  the  President's  Proclamation  for  the  public 
defence. 

With  these  views  and  objects,  and  with  a  desire  that  our  white  fellow-citizens  shall 
be  measurably  relieved  from  drafting,  by  allowing  the  colored  citizens  to  volunteer  for 
the  war  (in  the  course  of  which  war  the  colored  troops  have  evinced  discipline  and 
bravery  worthy  of  the  noble  cause  of  national  self-defence),  this  statement  is  written  in 
evidence  of  the  interest  with  which  the  mission  of  Mr.  Rodgers  to  Albany  is  regarded 
by  his  fellow-citizens  of  the  New  York  Association  for  Colored  Volunteers — which  As- 
sociation is  now  endeavoring  to  promote  the  formation  of  the  First  Division  of  New 
York  Colored  Troops. 

By  order  of  the  General  Committee  of  the  said  Association, 

HENRY  O'RIELLY,  Secretary. 


Establishment  of  the  Policy  in  this  State. 

Having  thus  obtained  from  the  National  and  State  Governments  distinct  avowals 
of  the  policy  which  would  control  the  enlistment  of  Colored  Volunteers,  attention  was 
immediately  turned  towards  the  organization  of  a  brigade  of  soldiers  of  African  descent; 
and  the  result  of  a  request  to  Colonel  P.  A.  Conkling  to  allow  his  name  to  be  present- 
ed to  the  President  for  a  commission  as  Brigadier,  to  organize  the  troops  thus  to  be 
raised,  is  stated  in  the  following  article  : — 

From  the  New  York  Tribune. 
The  Spirit  of  the  Times. 

The  appearance  of  a  colored  regiment*  in  a  city  where  men  (with  women  and  chil- 
dren, too!)  were  recently  hunted  and  murdered,  under  no  other  pretext  than  their  sable 
hue,  is  a  significant  commentary  on  the  progress  of  opinion  and  the  march  of  loyal 
power. 

Not  less  marked  is  the  fact  that  an  organization  has  been  effected,  under  the  aus- 
pices of  many  well-known  citizens,  whose  names  have  already  appeared  in  these  col- 
umns, for  sustaining  the  National  Government  in  the  policy  of  employing  colored  men 
as  auxiliaries  in  defending  our  democratic  institutions  against  the  slaveholders'  treason. 

Some  of  the  con-espondcnce  on  these  subjects  may  be  useful  in  turning  public  atten- 
tion more  fully  towai'd  the  importance  of  the  policy  now  successfully  inaugurated.     A 

*  This  refers  to  the  Second  Regiment  of  D.  8.  Colored  Volunteers,  which  passed  through  New  Yorli  to 
take  shipping  for  New  Orleans— about  two-thirda  of  whom  were  recently  slaves  In  Delaware,  Maryland  and 
Virginia. 


12 

letter  from  the  Hon.  Frederick  A.  Conkling,  late  Member  of  Congress,  as  well  as  Colonel 
of  a  gallant  regiment — himself  an  early  advocate  of  colored  enlistments — may  be  taken, 
and  so  we  print  it,  as  a  specimen  of  the  hearty  approbation  bestowed  on  these  move- 
ments by  citizens  who  bavc  signalized  their  zeal  through  efficient  service,  civil  and  mili- 
tary, against  the  rebellion.  It  seems  that  the  General  Committee  addressed  Colonel 
Conkling  to  the  effect  that  ''his  course  in  reference  to  the  war  had  turned  attention 
toward  him  for  the  command  of  a  brigade,"  and  he  was  urged  to  "consent  to  be  named 
to  the  War  Department  for  authority^  to  raise"  such  a  force.  This  "  Association  for 
Colored  Troops "  includes  several  Generals  and  other  officers  who  have  deserved 
well  of  their  country  in  the  field.  The  following — creditable  alike  to  his  regiment  and 
to  himself— is  Colonel  Oonkling's  reply : 

"New  York,Jsov.  27,  18C3. 

"  SiK  :  I  have  received  your  letter  of  this  date,  proposing  to  me  to  raise  a  brigade 
of  colored  volunteers,  and  tendering  me  the  recommendation  of  your  Association  for 
the  command  of  such  a  brigade,  and  its  influence  in  raising  it  For  this  compliment  to 
my  small  military  experience,  I  beg  you  to  accept  my  sincere  acknowledgments.  Nor 
can  I  let  pass  the  opportunity  to  say  that,  having  been  among  the  first  to  advocate  the 
raising  of  colored  troops,  my  pride  of  opinion  has  been  flattered  by  the  extraordinary 
success  of  the  measure,  which  I  regard  as  fully  established  with  the  people — its  popu- 
larity, no  doubt,  having  been  greatly  quickened  and  intensified  by  the  heroic  bravery 
of  the  colored  soldiers  wheiever  they  have  come  under  fire,  or  have  been  ordered  to 
charge  upon  the  enemy  in  his  intrenchments. 

"  The  proposition,  therefore,  has  an  attraction  for  me  which  it  is  difficult  to  resist, 
but  circumstances  forbid  me  to  accept  it.  It  would  perhaps  seem  like  boasting  or  com- 
plaining, were  I  to  detail  to  you  the  great  pecuniary  los.ses  which  I  have  sustained  by 
reason  of  this  rebellion,  or  the  voluntary  sacrifices  which  I  have  made  to  sustain  the 
Government.  I  will  only  say  that  they  compel  me  to  give  such  attention  to  my  private 
affairs  as  I  am  able  to  do  and  retain  command  of  the  regiment  which  I  have  raised,  and 
to  which  I  am  much  attached. 

"  May  I  say,  in  }>ehalt  of  my  regiment  and  myself,  that  we  will  be  leady  at  twenty- 
four  hours'  notice,  to  march  (as  we  have  done  before)  to  any  position  of  actual  service 
where  Me  can  be  useful,  provided  that  service  be  limited  to  a  period  not  exceeding 
three  months.  More  than  this,  a  sense  of  individual  responsibility  and  duty  does  not 
permit  me  for  the  present  to  promise. 

"  More  than  six  months  ago  I  tendered  my  services  to  other  officers  for  the  enlist- 
ment and  organization  of  Colored  Volunteers  in  this  State  ;  and  I  at  that  time  addressed 
a  connnunication  to  the  SeL-retur}-  of  War  upon  the  subject  I  stand  ready  now,  and 
shall  at  all  times  stand  read}',  to  render  that  assistance. 

"Faithfully  yours,  F.  A.  CONKLING. 

"  Henkv  O'Riellt,  Esq.,  Secretary  N.  Y.  A.  C.  V." 

Colonel  Dwight  Morri.s,  late  acting  Brigadier  of  a  brigade  including  some  New 
York,  New  Jersey,  and  Conuectiiut  Volunteer.'^,  was  then  named  as  a  proper  commander 
for  the  proposed  Brigade  of  Coloi-ed  Volunteers — as  follows : 

Okkick  of  tok  Nkw  Youk  "  Association  fok  Coloked  Volinteek.s,"  ^ 
New  York,  2(5  Pine  Street,  Dec.  2,  1S«3.  S 

To  the  UoN.  Edwin  M.  Staxton,  tScrretnr;/  of  ]\'(ir  : 

Sir:  in  your  reply  of  Nov.  24  to  our  communication  through  (General  ^\  .  K. 
Strong,  late  of  the  United  States  Ami}',  you  state  that  yen  will  gram  authority  to  suit- 
able persons  to  raise  Colored  N'olunteers,  in  New  York,  to  be  crctlited  on  tiie  (piota  of 
the  State,  and  to  be  known  as  United  States  Volunteers — the  officers  to  be  commis- 
sioned by  the  l*resident. 

For  the  j)urpo.se  of  sustaining  this  policy  of  the  Government,  and  t<i  expedite  the 
raising  of  such  colored  troops,  the  (iential  Coinmittec  of  this  Assoi'i;i(ion  r(.'spei-lfull3' 
recommend  that  Colonel  Dwiglit  Morris,  late  of  the  Fourteenth  Connecticut,  ^e  coni- 
missioned  as  r>rigadii;r-(uiicral,  and  assigned  to  dut}"^  in  this  city  and  State.  The 
Committee  take  jjleasure  in  expressing  tiie  belief  that  tliis  gentleman  (who,  as  .\cting 
Brigadicr-(<eneral,  conmiamling  the  Insth  New  Yoik,  the  l_*tli  New  Jersey,  the  14th 
Connecticut,  and  the  I'JUlh  and  l.'i2d  I'enn.'^ylvania,  in  .^^cveral  of  the  most  important 
engagements  of  the  war)  is  eminently  qualified,  by  his  views  concerning  tlte  policy  of 
enlisting  colored  troop.s,  as  well  as  by  his  militar}-  experience,  to  contribute  largely  to 
the  success  of  the  movement  now  inaugurated  in  this  State  for  c»rganizing  a  Brigade  or 


13 

Division  of  Colored  Volunteers  ;  and  therefore  the  undersigned  present  his  name  for 
such  an  appointment,  now  that  his  health,'  once  greatly  impaired  in  active  service,  is 
such  as  to  permit  him  again  to  take  the  held  in  active  operations. 

Hoping  that  Colonel  ^lorris  may  be  thus  appointed,  and  detailed  as  above  request- 
ed, the  Association  pledges  its  most  zealous  efforts  to  aid  in  every  practicable  way  in 
raising  troops  to  till  the  ranks  of  his  command. 

By  order  of  the  General  Committee, 

Hexky  O'Riellt,  Secretary.  W.  K.  STRONG,  Chairman. 

The  Secretar}'-  of  War,  when  called  on  by  some  Senators  in  furtherance  of  this 
recommendation,  rephed  substantially  that  Colonel  D wight  Morris  had  just  been  nomi- 
nated to  the  Senate  for  a  Brigadier's  commission,  and  that  he  therefore  could  not  be 
placed  in  such  a  command  till  his  nomination  should  be  approved  by  the  Senate — Con- 
gress bi'ing  then  in  session  ; — but  that,  when  thus  confirmed,  "  the  assignment  to  the 
specific  duty  in  New  York  would  be  made."  Secretary  Stanton,  in  the  meantime, 
ottered  to  authorize  Colonel  Morris  to  raise  a  colored  regiment  in  New  York,  with  his 
then  rank  of  colonel;  but  circumstances  induced  Colonel  Morris  to  decline  under- 
taking that  duty  at  the  time,  in  view  of  the  pendency  of  his  name  for  a  brigadier- 
ship — though  ready  for  service,  as  the  Association  suggested  and  as  Secretary  Stanton 
substantial!}^  approved,  when  decisive  action  should  be  had  upon  his  nomination  in  the 
Senate. 


NojiiNATiON  OP  Col.  Bartram. 

In  view  of  the  foregoing  facts,  the  General  Committee  of  the  Association  for  Colored 
Troops,  having  received  strong  testimonials  in  favor  of  Lieut. -Col.  N.  B.  Bartram,  of 
New  York,  an  oflicer  attached  to  the  Eighth  Regiment  of  Colored  Troops,  in  camp  near 
Philadelphia,  and  after  an  interview  with  that  officer,  resolved  unanimously,  on  motion 
of  Mr.  O'Rielly,  that  the  said  Lieut-Col.  Bartram  be  nominated  as  Colonel  for  the  com- 
mand of  the  First  Colored  Regiment  to  be  raised  in  the  State  of  New  York,  inasmuch 
as  he  "  appears  to  this  Committee  to  combine  the  qualities  and  experience  which 
eminently  fit  him  for  such  a  command." 

[The  nomination  of  Col.  Bartram  was  afterwards  concurred  in  by  the  Joint  Volun- 
teering Committee  of  this  Association  and  of  the  Union  League  Club,  and  he  was  ac- 
cordingly appointed  by  the  President.] 

Course  of  the  Union  League  Club. 
The  policy  of  the  National  Government  concerning  the  enlistment  of  Colored  Vol- 
unteers in  this  State  having  been  thus  announced  by  the  letter  of  Secretary  Stanton,  in 
reply  to  the  Association  for  Colored  Troops  (as  above  quoted,)  the  Union  League  Club, 
which  had  raised  money  to  promote  enhstments  in  a  white  regiment,  determined  to  de- 
vote their  means  energetically  in  furthering  the  enlistment  of  Colored  Volunteers. 


Co-operation  of  the  Association  for  Colored  Volunteers  with  the  Union  League  Club. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  "  Association  for  Colored  Volunteers  "  being  in- 
formed that  the  "  Union  League  Club  "  desired  co-operation  in  raising  the  regiment  of 
Colored  Volunteers  for  whicli  authority  had  been  granted  to  that  body  by  thp  Genera! 
Government,  resolved  to  accept  the  invitation  and  to  co-operate  cordially  in  the  move- 
ment, being  desirous  of  promoting,  in  every  practicable  way,  all  well-directed  eftbrts  for 
accomplishing  tiie  important  olyects  for  vrhich  the  Association  was  organized.  '  The 
invitation  from  tlie  Clulj  was  as  follows: — 

50  Wall  Street,  New  York,  Dec.  5th,  1803. 
( leneral  ^V^  K.  Strong,  Chairman  : 

Sir:  At  a  meeting  of  the  Volunteering  Committee  of  the  Union  League  Club,  the 
undersigned  were  appointed  a  committee  to  communicate  with  the  body  over  which 
you  preside,  and  to  inform  you  tliat  we  have  received  an  authorization  from  tlie  Secre- 
tary of  War  to  raise  in  this  State  a  regiment  of  colored  troops,  to  be  known  as  the 
"  Twentieth  Regiment  New  York  Colored  Troops,"  and  to  solicit  the  co-operation  of 
yourself  and  associates  in  raising  the  regiment. 

Our  Clulj  has  raised  a  consideral)le  amount  of  funds,  and  can  raise  much  more,  if 
needed.  We  have  no  personal  ends  to  answer — no  officers  for  whom  we  desire  to  make 
places.     A\'e  will  gladly  meet  yourself  and  any  members  of  your  body  at  any  time  youy 


14 

may  select.    We  believe  that  by  a  united  effort  of  all  interested  in  this  matter,  a  credit- 
able regiment  can  be  promptly  raised.  Your  obedient  servant, 

George  Buss,  Jk. 
Along  with  this  letter,  Colonel  Bliss  transmitted  a  resolution  of  the  Union  League 
Club,  in  the  following  words: — "  Rcaolved,  That  the  Committee  of  which  General  Wm. 
K.  Strong  is  Chairman,  be  requested  to  appoint  a  sub-committee  of  three  to  confer  with 
this  Committee  from  time  to  time  as  invited  by  this  Committee,  and  to  represent  that 
Committee." 

As  the  correspondence  between  the  Union  League  Club  and  the  Governor  and 
Secretary  of  War  refers  to  a  previous  correspondence  between  Governor  Seymour 
and  Mr.  James  Rodgcrs,  a  member  of  the  Association  for  Colored  Troops,  the  letters 
from  and  replies  to  the  Club  arc  herewith  printed  : 

The  Committee  of  the  Union  League  Club  requested  Governor  Seymour  to  com- 
mission officers  for  the  purpose  of  raising  such  regiment,  provided  they  obtained  the 
consent  of  the  War  Department  for  its  organization.  They  received  the  following  letter 
from  the  Governor  : — 

"  State  of  New  York,  Executive  Department,  Albany,  ) 
November  27th,  1863.  ) 

"Gentlemen:  I  have  received  your  communication  in  relation  to  the  organization 
of  negro  regiments  into  companies.  The  matter  rests  entirely  with  the  War  Depart- 
ment at  AVashington.  I  understand  that  permission  has  been  given  to  persons  in 
Brooklyn  to  raise  such  regiments,  and  I  suppose,  therefore,  you  can  get  a  like  authori- 
zation. 

"  I  send  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  written  by  me  to  Mr.  Rodgers,  of  New  York,  which 
covers  the  whole  ground  of  your  communication.* 

"Yours  truly,  Horatio  Seymock. 

"To  Messrs.  Alex.  Van  Rensselaer,  L.  G.  B.  Cannon,  George  Bliss,  Jr." 

The  committee  of  the  Club  then  forwarded  the  following  letter  to  Washington, 
which  we  print,  with  the  reply  of  the  War  Department : 
"  Hon.  E.  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War  : 

"  Dear  Sir  :  On  behalf  of  the  Union  League  Club  of  this  city  we  respectfully  ask 
an  authorization  for  a  regiment  of  Colored  Troops,  to  be  raised  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
under  the  auspices  of  that  Club.  We  have  already  made  an  application  to  His  Excel- 
lency Governor  Seymour,  and  have  received  a  reply,  of  which  we  enclose  a  copy.  x 

"The  Union  League  Club  is  composed  of  over  five  hundred  of  the  wealthiest  and 
most  respectable  citizens  of  New  York,  whose  sole  bond  of  association  is  an  unflinching 
determination  to  support  the  Government.  They  have  subscribed  a  large  sum,  to  be 
appropriated  to  the  raising  of  a  colored  regiment,  and  will  procure  much  more.  They 
believe  that  by  their  exertions  and  influence  they  can,  with  the  permission  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, put  in  the  field  a  regiment  worthy  to  stand  side  by  side  with  the  Fifty-fourth 
Massachusetts, 

"  If  we  are  so  fortunate  as  to  receive  your  authorization,  we  shall  take  immediate 
steps  to  carry  out  our  plan,  and  shall  endeavor  to  present  for  approval  able  and  expe- 
rienced officers,  whose  heart  is  in  the  work. 

"  We  are,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servants, 

"Geo  Bliss,  Jr  (    Committee. 

"  Le  Grand  B,  Cannon,  s 
Authority  from  toe  War  Department. 
''War  Department,  Adjutant-General's  Office,  WAsniNr.TON,  D.  C,  ( 

December  3,  18G3.  S 

"  Georce  Blis.s,  Jk  ,  Es(^,  Union  Leafiue  Cluh  Hoorm,  Kew  York : 

"Sir:  I  am  instructed  by  the  Secretary  of  ^Var  to  inform  you  that  you  are  hereby 
authorized,  as  the  repre.^entitive  of  your  associates  of  the  Union  League  Club,  to  raise 
in  the  State  of  New  York  one  regiment  of  infantry,  to  be  composed  of  colored  men,  to 
be  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  for  three  years  or  during  the  war. 
To  lhe.se  tro<)\is  no  bounties  will  be  paid.  TI\ey  will  receive  ten  dollars  per  month  and 
one  ration,  three  dollars  of  which  monthly  may  be  in  clothing. 


•  Qovernor  Seymour's  letter  to  Mr.  Rodgers  U  Inserted  on  a  previous  page,  among  the  proceedings  of 
the  "  Association  for  Colored  Volunteers  "—page  S.  See  also  Gov.  Seymour's  letter  of  October  T,  on  a  previ- 
ous page. 


15 

"  The  regiment  will  be  known  and  designated  as  the  Twentieth  Regiment  United 
States  Colored  Troops. 

"  The  organization  of  the  regiment  must  conform  strictly  to  the  requirements  of 
General  Orders  No.  110,  current  series,  War  Department,  a  copy  of  which  is  herewith 
enclosed. 

"  The  prescribed  number  of  commissioned  officers  will  be  appointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent, after  they  shall  have  passed  examination,  as  provided  in  the  General  Orders  Nos. 
143  and  1-t-l,  War  Department,  1863,  copies  of  which  are  herewith  enclosed,  and  your 
attention  invited  thereto.  The  officers  so  appointed  will  be  mustered  into  service  on 
the  presentation  to  the  mustering  officer  of  their  appointments,  signed  by  the  Secretary 
of  War.  The  enlisted  men  may  be  mustered  into  service  by  squads,  if  found  more 
convenient. 

"  The  troops  raised  under  the  foregoing  authority  will   rendezvous   at  Riker's 
Island,  New  York  barber,  to  which  point  they  will  be  sent  as  fast  as  they  are  mus- 
tered into  service.     An  officer  will  be  assigned  to  duty  at  that  post  to  take  charge  of 
the  men  on  their  arrival,  and  make  the  necessary  requisitions  for  supplies, 
"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  C.  W.  Foster,  Assistant  Adjutant-General." 


In  accordance  Mith  the  invitation  from  the  Union  League  Club  Committee,  a  delega- 
tion from  the  Association  for  Colored  Volunteers  (consisting  of  General  AV.  K.  Strong  and 
Messrs.  Henry  O'Rielly,  James  Rodgers,  Edward  Cromwell,  G.  W.  Rose,  Jackson  S. 
Scliultz,  and  George  Kessman)  met  with  the  Union  League  Volunteering  Committee,  at 
the  Club  House  on  Union  Square — when  a  general  plan  of  operations  was  agreed  on. 
Immediately  thereafter  a  committee  of  three  (viz.,  Messrs.  Schultz,  Cromwell  and 
Rodgers)  was  appointed  to  meet  regularly  with  the  Committee  of  the  Union  League 
Club — thus  forming  a  General  Volunteering  Committee  of  Ten  for  promoting  the  objects 
which  caused  the  formation  of  the  "Association  for  Colored  Volunteers." 

In  furtherance  of  these  arrangements,  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted  at  a 
meeting  of  the  General  Committee  of  the  "  Association  for  Colored  Volunteers :  " 

Resolved,  That  all  agents  now  employed  by  this  Association  be  excused  from  fur- 
ther service  for  this  Association,  inasmuch  as  the  Committee  of  the  Union  League  Club 
have  assumed,  or  will  assume,  the  employment  of  all  such  agents  as  that  Committee 
may  see  tit  to  employ. 

Jie-iolved,  That  Jackson  S.  Schultz,  Edward  Cromwell,  and  James  Rodgers  be  a 
committee,  to  act  as  invited  by  the  Committee  of  the  Union  League  Club,  in  reference 
to  volunteering  for  the  regiment  of  colored  men  now  in  progress  of  formation,  as  the 
Twentieth  Regiment  of  United  States  Colored  Volunteers. 

Resohed,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  look  after  the  interests  of 
Colored  Volunteers  ;  and  that  any  complaints  on  that  subject  be  referred  to  said  com- 
mittee— [which  committee  consisted  of  the  three  gentlemen  appointed  to  meet  and  co- 
operate with  the  Volunteering  Committee  of  the  Union  League  Club.] 

-Resolved,  That  all  the  applications  heretofore  made  to  this  Association  for  com- 
mands of  Colored  Troops  be  referred  to  the  committee  of  three  (Messrs.  Schultz,  Crom- 
well and  Rodgers)  appointed  by  this  Association  to  co-operate  with  the  Union  League 
Club  Committee,  now  engaged  in  the  organization  of  the  Twentieth  Regiment  United 
States  Colored  Volunteers,  of  which  Colonel  Bliss  is  chairman,  and  that  all  future  ap- 
plications of  the  same  character  be  referred  to  the  same  committee. 

Resolved,  That  among  the  persons  named  for  command  of  a  colored  regiment. 
Lieutenant- Colonel  N.  B.  Bartram,  of  this  city,  now  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Fifth 
Regiment  United  States  Colored  Volunteers,  in  camp  near  Philadelphia,  appears  to  this 
Committee  to  combine  the  qualities  and  experience  which  eminently  fit  him  for  such  a 
command. 


RESULTS  OF  THESE  ARRANGEMENTS— THE  FIRST  COLORED  TROOPS  SENT 
FROM  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 
The  satisfactory  results  of  the  movement  cannot  be  more  appropriately  stated  than 
by  quoting  certain  articles  from  the  New  York  Times  and  the  New  York  Tribune. 
Even  the  New  York  Fxjn-ess,  not  remarkable  for  eulogy  on  the  organization  of  Colored 
Troops,  spoke  with  as  much  animation  as  the  Trilune  or  Tinier  concerning  this  move- 
ment, "  The  regiment,"  says  the  Express,  "  marched  in  colunui,  by  platoon,  and  their 
soldierlike  appearance,  the  evenness  of  their  dress,  and  the  carriage  of  the  muskets,  justi- 


16 


fled 
enl 


1  the  praises  bestowed  on  them,  and  gave  evidence  of  close  drill  exercise  since  they 
isted."  *  *  ♦  "The  ovation  to  the  twentieth  regiment  of  Colored  Volunteers," 
the  Express  adds,  "  was  one  of  the  most  imposing  receptions  which  has  ever  honored 
the  advent  or  departure  of  a  military  organization  from  New  York." 

From  the  Trihune  of  March  5,  1864. 

TWENTlKTn     r.    S.     COLORED     KEfilMENT — RECEPTION    BY    THE    UNION    LEAGUE — SPEECnES    OF 
COAKLES  KIXC   AND  COLONEL  BARTKAM DEPAKTIKE    FOR  THE  SEAT  OF  WAR. 

The  20th  Regiment  United  States  Colored  Troops  left  Riker's  Island  at  9  o'clock 
on  Saturday  morning,  on  board  the  steamer  John  Romer,  and  were  coiivej'ud  to  the  foot 
of  Twenty-sixth  Street,  East  River,  where  they  were  disembarked  and  formed  in  regi- 
mental line,  and  marched  to  Union  Square,  arriving  in  front  of  the  Union  League  Club- 
House  at  one  o'clock. 

A  vast  crowd  of  citizens  of  every  shade  of  color,  and  every  phase  of  social  and  po- 
litical life,  filled  the  square  and  streets,  and  every  door,  window,  veranda,  tree  and 
house-top  that  commanded  a  view  of  the  scene,  was  peopled  with  sjiectators.  <  Her  the 
entrance  of  the  Club- Room  was  a  lari,re  platform  ornamented  with  Hags  and  filled  with 
ladies.  In  the  street  was  another  platfonu  tastefully  decorated  and  occupied  by  promi- 
nent citizens.  From  this  stand  the  colors  were  presented  by  President  King  of  Columbia 
College,  who  spoke  as  follows : 

SPEECH    OF   CHARLES   KING. 

"I  rejoice  to  sec  this  day — I  rejoice  in  the  opportunity,  beneath  this  glorious  sim 
and  in  the  presence  of  this  goodly  assembly,  and  under  the  folds  of  our  ever  dear,  honored 
flag  of  the  Union — to  salute  you,  soldiers  of  the  2<Hh' Regiment  U.  S.  Colored  Troops,  as 
fellow-countrymen,  fellow  soldiers,  for,  I,  too,  have  in  other  days  worn  the  uniform  of 
the  nation,  and  from  my  heart  I  honor  it,  and  all  who  worthily  wear  it. 

"I  am  proud  of  the  opportunity  to  stand  before  you  as  the  representative  of  the 
loyal  women  who  have  united  in  the  patriotic  purpose  of  presenting  to  you  a  regi- 
mental flag  to  be  bore  with  the  colors  of  the  nation  of  which  you  are  now  the  accepted 
and  sworn  defenders  and  guardians. 

"These  loyal  women  know  and  feel  what  such  a  ceremonial  imports;  they  know 
and  feel  that  the  sacred  baimer  which  they  commit  to  your  faithfulness  and  courage,  is 
a  trust  as  full  of  diflBculty  and  of  danger  as  of  duty ;  that  it  calls,  on  your  j)art,  for  the 
hourly  exercise  of  self-restraint,  self-discipline,  self-denial ;  for  the  implicit  obedience 
without  which  an  army  is  but  a  mob,  and  for  that  high  and  patriotic  devotion  which 
counts  even  life  itself  a  willing  sacrifice  to  the  cause  of  country  and  of  liberty.  The  re- 
ligion of  the  flag  is  second  only  to  the  religion  of  the  altar ;  and  our  Father  in  heaven 
may  be  implored  to  bless,  according  to  its  purity,  the  one  and  the  other.  Hence  he  who 
is  false  to  his  flag  is  false  to  his  altar  and  liis  God. 

"  And  these  loyal  women  who  thus  confide  to  you  a  trust  at  once  so  dangerous  and 
so  honorable,  they  too — be  assured  of  it — they  will  do  all  that  may  be  done  by  careful 
ministration  for  the  sick  and  the  wounded,  by  systematic  and  considerate  labors  lor  the 
families  of  the  soldier  exjiosed  to  privation,  to  lighten  the  cares  and  gladden  the  iiearts 
and  strengthen  the  arms  of  those  they  encourage  to  go  forth  to  battle. 

"Go,  then,  soldiers  of  the  Twentieth  Regiment,  go  forth  in  the  assured  conviction 
that  you  leave  behind  you  ever-watchful,  ever-kind,  ever-active  friends,  who,  taking  .so 
prominent  a  part  in  equipping  you  for  war,  will  in  nowise  falter  m  their  etlbrts  for  the 
welfare  of  the  families  you  leave  behind. 

"  To  these  considerations,  which  may  be  fitly  addressetl  to  all  soldiers,  T  desire  to 
add  some  that  belong  to  you  alone.  For,  my  friends — and  I  use  the  expression  all  the 
more  emphatically  that  the  same  expresijion  was,  in  the  fatal  month  of  July,  employed 
by  a  very  high  functionary  on  a  very  different  occasion  and  to  a  very  ditlerent  Ijody  of 
men — to  each  the  choice  of  and  responsibility  for  his  own  friends — in  addressing  you 
by  this  name  I  address  soldiers  of  order,  liberty,  and  law — men  who  came  forth  at  the 
call  of  country  and  in  vindication  of  her  outraged  constitution — nay,  of  the  very  right  of 
national  existence. 

"  To  you,  then,  in  addition  the  appeal  suitable  to  every  soldier,  lies  in  a  higher  and 
holier  sense,  an  appeal  as  emancipators  of  your  own  race,  while  acting  as  the  defenders 
an<l  champions  of  another.  You  are  in  arms,  not  for  the  freedom  and  law  of  the  white 
race  alone,  but  for  universal  law  and  freedom  ;  for  the  God  implanted  right  of  life,  liberty, 
and  the  pursuit  of  happiness  to  every  being  whom  He  has  fashioned  in  His  own  image. 


/ 

If 

When  you  put  on  the  uniform  and  s^ear  allegiance  to  the  standard  of  the  Union,  you 
stand  emancipated,  regenerated,  and  disenthralled — the  jjcer  of  the  proudest  soldier  in 
the  land ;  and  withered  be  the  hand  and  palsied  be  the  tongue  that  shall  ever  give  con- 
sent to  your  being  subject  to  other  treatment  at  the  hands  of  the  enemy  than  such  as  is 
measured  out  to  other  soldiers  of  the  Republic.  Prejudice,  indeed,  and  the  rancorous 
hate  of  brutalized  minds  and  the  ingrained  meanness  of  factious  partisanship  may  still 
throw  obstacles  in  your  wa}',  but  that  way  is  upward  and  onward,  and  j'our  maich  in 
it  cannot  be  stopped,  cannot  be  much  delayed,  unless  by  your  own  want  of  faith  and 
want  of  work.  To  your  own  selves  be  true  to  your  high  mission  as  the  vindicators  and 
asserters  of  your  worth  as  men,  and  you  cannot  then  be  false  to  any  one,  or  fail  in  any 
high  and  honorable  endeavor.  You  may  fall,  as  many  of  your  race  did  fall  with  the 
gallant,  good  young  Shaw  at  Wagnei",  and  the  ignoble  foe  thought  to  dishonor  that 
youthful  hero's  grave  \>y  heaping  into  it  the  corpses  of  his  colored  soldiers.  Dishonored  ! 
Who  would  not  die  such  a  death  to  be  worthy  of  such  a  grave?  Who  that  rightly  feels 
would  exchange  that  lowly  resting  place  on  the  barren  shore  of  South  Carolina,  lulled 
by  the  eternal  requiem  of  the  solemn  sea,  for  the  proudest  mausoleum  in  the  loftiest 
temple  built  with  human  hands  V 

"No,  no,  my  friends,  you  cannot  be  hindered  now  in  your  high  caUing.  It  is  but 
to  look  back  for  a  few  years — nay,  but  for  a  few  months  in  this  city — to  realize  what  a 
forward  step  has  been  taken,  and  to  feel  quite  sure  that  in  such  a  path  there  is  no  step 
backward. 

"On!  on!  then,  soldiers  of  the  20th  United  States  Colored  Troops,  with  .serried 
ranks,  with  faith  in  yourselves  and  in  your  cause,  with  contidence  and  affection  for  your 
officers,  and  with  humble  but  earnest  trust  in  God,  and  you  will,  you  must,  in  con- 
tributing to  the  rescue  of  your  country  and  its  Constitution,  work  out  your  own  com- 
plete redemption. 

"  Already  the  colored  troops  of  the  United  States  count  by  tens  and  twenties  of 
thousands,  and  nowhere  have  they  turned  back  from  the  bloodiest  conflict  or  failed 
to  follow  their  leaders  into  the  very  jaws  of  death. 

"  Dear  Col.  Bartram,  to  you  and  to  the  officers  of  this  fine  regiment  it  remains  for 
me  to  say  a  few  words  : 

"  The  flag  which  I  hold  in  my  hands,  to  be  placed  in  yours,  tells  its  own  story. 
The  conquering  eagle  and  the  broken  yoke  and  the  armed  figure  of  liberty  speak  as 
plainly  as  symbols  can  of  the  might  of  Freedom  and  the  overthrow  of  Slavery — and  flying, 
as  will  this  standard-sheet,  beside  the  Stars  and  Stripes  of  the  Republic,  they  will  form 
a  spell  of  such  power  as  to  bind  up  every  generous  heart  with  one  firm,  fierce  resolve 
that  these  flags  shall  not  be  separated — shall  not  be  surrendered — but  shall  go  marching 
on,  and  marching  on,  and  still  marching  on  to  triumph  and  final  victory ! 

"  In  the  faith,  Colonel,  that  such  is  your  resolve,  I  commit  to  your  hands,  for  the 
20th  Regiment  United  States  Colored  Troops,  in  the  name  of  those  loyal  women,  the  flag 
they  have  prepared.  May  the  blessing  of  God  go  with  it,  and  with  you  and  your 
soldiers,  and  fighting  beneath  its  folds,  may  He  cover  your  heads  in  the  day  of 
battle!" 

At  the  close  of  his  speech,  President  King  read  the  following  address,  which  had 
been  prepared  by  H.  T.  Tuckerman.    The  address  was  neatly  engrossed  on  parchment , 
and  .signed  by  the  ladies  who  presented  the  colors  to  the  regiment. 
To  the  Officers  and  Men  of  the  Twentietli  United  States  Colored  TroojJS  : 

Soldiers  :  We,  the  mothers,  wives,  and  sisters  of  the  members  of  the  New  York 
Union  League  Club,  of  whose  liberality  and  intelligent  patriotism,  and  under  whose  direct 
au.spice.s,  you  have  been  organized  into  a  body  of  national  troops  for  the  defense  of  the 
Union,  earnestly  sympathizing  in  the  great  cause  of  American  iree  nationality,  and  de- 
sirous of  testifying,  by  some  memorial,  our  profound  sense  of  the  .sacred  object  and  the 
holy  cause  in  behalf  of  which  you  have  enlisted,  have  prepared  for  you  this  banner,  at 
once  the  emblem  of  freedom  and  of  faith,  and  the  symbol  of  woman's  best  wishes  and 
prayers  for  our  common  country,  and  especially  for  your  devotion  thereto. 

When  you  look  at  this  flag  and  rush  to  battle,  or  stand  at  guard  beneath  its  sublime 
motto,  "God  and  Liberty!"  remember  that  it  is  also  an  emblem  of  love  and  honor 
from  the  daughters  of  this  great  metropolis  to  her  brave  champions  in  the  field,  and  that 
they  will  anxiously  watch  your  career,  glorifying  in  your  heroism,  ministering  to  you 
when  wounded  and  ill,  and  honoring  your  martyrdom  with  benedictions  and  with  tears. 

Mrs.  J.  J.  Astor,  Mrs.  G.  W.  Blunt,  Mrs.  J.  W.  Beckman,  Mrs.  S.  Wetmore,  Mrs. 
S.  B.  Chittenden,  Mrs.  G.  Bliss,  jr.,  Mrs.  S.J.  Bacon,  Mr.s.  R.  B.  Minturn,  Mrs.  Charles 
3 


18 

King,  ^rr?.  S.  W.  Bridgham,  Mrs.  W.  E.  I)oilp;c,  Mrs.  R.  Stebbins,  Mrs.  B.  Schieftelin, 
Miss  Kin<i,  Mrs.  J.  B.  Johnston,  Mrs.  N.  D.  Smith,  Mrs.  T.  M.  Cheeseman,  Mrs.  II.  A. 
Colt,  Mr.'?'.  A.  T.  Mann,  Mrs.  J.  J.  Phelps,  Mrs.  G.  B.  Deforest,  Mrs.  Le  G.  B.  Cannon, 
Mrs.  W.  A.  Butkr,  Mrs.  N.  A.  Burdock,  Mrs.  L.  Dunlap,  Mrs.  T.  E.  Howe,  Mrs.  W.  H. 
Lee,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Dodt;;e,  jr.,  Mr.s.  David  Iloadley,  Mrs.  C.  Ludington,  Mrs.  G.  Lemist, 
Mrs.  E.  C.  Cowden,  Mrs.  J.  A.  Roosevelt,  Mr.s.  J.  Sampson,  Mrs.  R.  B.Mintuni,  jr.,  Mrs. 
Alfred  Pelt,  jr.,  ^^r.s.  W.  Hatchings,  Mrs.  Geo.  Opdyke,  Mrs.  G.  C.  Ward,  Mrs.  C.  G. 
Judson,  Mrs.  S.  \V.  Roo.sevelt,  Mrs.  E.  D.  Smith,  Mrs.  S.  Gandy,  Mrs.  R.  L.  Stuart,  Mrs. 
E.  W.  Stouirhton,  Mrs.  J.  \V.  Bigclow,  Mrs.  M.  0.  Roberts,  Mrs.  11.  K.  Bogart,  Mrs.  E. 
C.  Hall,  Mrs.  J.  Lo  Roy,  Mrs.  J.  Brown,  ]^[rs.  H.  Baldwin,  Mrs.  M.  Clarkson,  Mrs.  J.  O. 
Stone,  Mr.s.  J.  G.  King,  jr.,  Mrs.  H.  Van  Rennsselaer,  Mrs.  J.  A.  King,  jr.,  Mrs.  J.  C. 
Ca.ssegree,  Mrs.  J.  L.  Kennedy,  Mrs.  F.  Prime,  Mrs.  Barnwall,  Mrs.  Wheelwright,  Mrs. 
E.  Collins,  Mrs.  Bradish,  ^^rs.  Bruce,  Mis.  Tuckerman,  Mrs.  Shaw,  Mrs.  Williams,  Mrs. 
P.  Richards,  Mrs.  R.  AN'inthrop,  Mrs.  Weeks,  Mr.s.  Jaques,  Mrs.  A.  Brooks,  Mrs.  W. 
Felt,  Mrs.  .1.  W.  Goddard,  Mrs.  F.  G.  Shaw,  Mr.s.  R.  G.  Shaw,  Mrs.  G.  B.  Curtiss,  Mrs. 
R.  C.  Lovell,  ^fr.s.  C.  (i.  Kiikland,  Mrs.  B.  De  Forest,  ^rr.s.  Boerum,  Mrs.  Hamilton  Fish, 
Mrs.  Alfred  Pell,  ]^Irs.  Kennedy,  ifrs.  J.  Johnston,  Mrs.  T.  L.  Beekman,  Mrs.  J.  F.  Gray, 
Mrs.  J.  Tuckerman,  Mr.s.  F.  A.  AVhittakcr,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Macy,  Mrs.  F.  H.  Macy,  Mrs.  J. 
McKaye,  Airs.  W.  L.  Felt,  Mrs.  T.  Haskell,  Mrs.  I.saac  Ames,  Mrs.  L.  F.  AVarner,  Mrs. 
A.  G.  Phelps,  Mrs.  N.  Chandler,  Mrs.  H.  Potter,  Mrs.  P.  S.  Van  Rennsselaer,  Mr.s.  H.  G. 
Thomson,  Mr.s.  F.  C.  Pende.xter,  Mrs.  II.  G.  Chapman,  Mrs.  G.  Bancroft,  Mr.s.  M. 
K.  Jessup,  Mrs.  J.  C.  B.  Davis,  Mrs.  AV.  H.  Schieffelin,  Mrs.  C.  C.  Dodge,  Mrs.  John 
Jay,  Mrs.  E.  M.  Young,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Schullz,  ^Irs.  J.  E.  Brenly,  Mrs.  H.  Chauncy,  Mrs. 
R.  M.  Hunt,  Miss  Jones,  Mrs.  J.  Schieffelin,  Mi.'is  Fi.sh,  Miss  Jay,  Mi.ss  Anna  Jay,  Miss 
Young,  Miss  Schultz,  Miss  Rus.sell,  Miss  J.  M.  King,  Miss  Cochrane,  Mrs.  Vincent 
Colyer,  Mr.s.  Catherine  C.  Hunt,  Mrs.  Walter,  Mrs.  Catherine  Williams,  Mr.^.  Emily  H. 
Ch&uncey,  Mrs.  E.  ^V.  Cruger,  Mrs.  W.  C.  Bryant,  Mrs.  F.  B.  Godwin,  Mrs.  Emily 
Boenun,  Miss  Norsworthy,  Messrs.  H.  G.  Chapman,  Ira  Brenl}',  Peter  Marie,  C.  Berry- 
mau,  C.  De  P.  Field,  C.  II.  Tuckerman,  C.  A.  Heckscher,  E.  Schieffelin,  B.  N.  Field,  L. 
Schieffelin,  D.J.  Clark,  AV.  H.  Schieffelin,  Wadsworth,  S.  A.  Schieffelin,  R.  H.  Hunt,  B. 
W.  Gri.swold. 

Colonel  Bartram,  who  received  the  flag.*!,  made  the  following  response: 
"  Jj.vniKS  AND  Gf.nti.emex  :  I  feel  how  utterly  unable  I  am  to  respond  in  a  becoming 
manner  to  the  eloquent  addresses  just  pronounced.  AVhile  free  to  confess  my  deficiency 
in  this  respect,  T  yet  claim  for  myself  and  my  command  an  e(|ual  share  of  the  patriotic 
ardor  and  love  of  country.  In  that  we  yield  to  none.  [Applause.]  This  beautiful 
banner  .symbolizes  our  country.  It  is  this  that  makes  death  glorious  l)eneath  its  starry 
fcld.s — it  is  this  that  rouses  the  feelings  of  outraged  honor  when  we  see  it  trailed  in  the 
dust.  How  base,  and  how  dead  to  all  sense  of  honor,  must  that  wretch  be  whose  brow 
burns  not  with  shamo  and  rage  at  the  dishonor  of  the  liag  of  his  country.  [Applause.] 
Nearly  three  years  since,  tlic  country  was  shocked  by  the  spectacle  of  a  banil  of  traitors 
tearing  away  the  emblem  of  our  country  from  a  fortress  over  which  it  had  floated 
proudly  for  year.s,  and  sub.stitndng  in  its  place  a  miserable  device  of  their  own.  Has 
this  act  been  fully  avenged?  K  > !  The  puni.shment  for  it  has  undoubtedly  lieeii  great 
already,  but  I  trust  tiiat  liic  utlor  humiliation  and  discomfiture  which  it  deserves,  are 
about  to  follow.  'J"o  this  end  this  regiment  is  about  to  take  the  field — a  regiment  com- 
posed of  a  race  hitherto  despised — of  a  race  almost  hopelessly  sunk  in  degradation,  by 
a  .sy.stem  of  slavery  as  barbarous  as  it  is  unjust.  It  has  been  the  habit  of  those  among 
us  who  sympathize  with  the  traitors  now  in  arms  against  us  to  sneer  at  what  they  are 
pleased  to  term  the  cowardice  of  the  negro.  1  hope  that  Port  Hudson,  Fort  >Vagner 
and  <)lustce  have  forever  settled  this  question.  In  this  regard,  I  must  be  permitted  to 
refer  biiefly  to  the  conduct  of  the  Eighth  United  States  Colored  Troops,  in  the  last- 
mentiohed  action.  My  reason  for  doing  this  is,  that  for  some  three  or  four  months  I 
was  on  duty  wilh  this  regiment,  as  its  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  during  this  period  I  had 
ample  opportunity  to  become  thoroughly  actjuainted  witli  its  ofliccrs  and  the  material 
composing  its  rank  and  lile.  No  regiment  ever  went  to  the  field  better  officered  than 
the  Eighth,  and  no  regiment  ever  contained  a  braver  or  more  resolute  set  of  men.  How 
well  they  fought  is  shown  by  their  list  of  casualties  ;  and  although  a  subordinate  oflict-r 
in  a  battery  thought  it  a  misfortune  to  be  supjiorted  by  a  colored  regiment,  yet,  when  we 
bear  in,  mind  that  two  veteran  regiments  had  already  found  the  position  too  hot  and  had 
retired,  1  think  we  can  afford  to  forgive  the  .slander,  and  .say  that  the  misfortune,  if  mis- 
fortune there  was,  was  not  in  having  a  colored  regiment  for  a  support,  but  in  having  an 


19 


to  my  duty  to  an  old  companion  in  ann^,  wno  nas  laui  iiown  nis  uiu  iii)on 
his  country,  did  I  permit  this  occasion  to  pass  without  paying  this  shglit  ti 
memory.  [The  allusion  is  to  Col.  Frihley,  of  the  8th  U.  S.  Colored  Volu 
fell  at  Olustee,  and  who  cordially  recommended  that  iJartrani,  his  Lieut.-Cul 


officer  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  so  biased,  so  ungenerous,  so  cowardly,  as  to 
slander  the  brave  men  who  fell  around  his  guns.  [Applause.]  I  should  feel  recreant 
to  my  duty  to  an  old  companion  in  anus,  who  has  laid  down  his  life  ui)on  the  altar  of 
■" "  '  ...  •  ....  ■       ,,  •      '■  riit  tribute  to  his 

luntecrs,  who 
lonel,  should 
be  appointed  Colonel  of  this  (-^irth)  Regiment  of  U.  S.  Colored  Troops.] 

"  I  trust  that  when  the  time  comes  for  the  20th  to  go  into  action,  we  shall  behave 
ourselves  in  a  manner  that  will  rcHcct  credit  upon  ourselves  and  honor  upon  our  friends 
and  our  country.  AV^e  feel  that  we  have  tlie  sympathies  and  prayers  of  good  men  and 
women.  We  know  the  interest  you  feel  in  us— the  high  hopes  you  entertain— and  be- 
lieve me  when  I  say  that  it  is  the  determination  of  every  officer  and  man  of  my  com- 
mand that,  so  far  as  the  power  to  fulfil  in  them  lies,  you  shall  not  be  disappointed.  I 
would  that  I  could  command  appropriate  words  to  address  the  noble  women  to  whom 
we  are  indebted  for  this  beautiful  stand  of  colors.  ^Vill  you  accept  a  soldier's  thanks, 
and  his  pledges  that  they  shall  never  know  dishonor  while  strength  remains  to  wield  a 
weapon  in  their  defense  V" 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks  he  was  greeted  with  enthusiastic  cheers ;  then 
followed  cheers  for  his  officers  and  cheers  for  his  men,  and  before  he  mounted  his  beauti- 
ful steed,  some  one  presented  him  with  a  handsome  boquct.  The  following  letter  was 
received  from  Gen.  Dix : 

Headijuahteks  Depautment  of  the  East,  ) 
New  Yokk  City,  March  5,  1864.  y 
To  the  Committee  for  the  Reeej-ttion  of  the  Twentieth  United  States  Colored  Regiment. 
Gentlemen:  I  much  regret  that  official  engagements  at  my  headquarters  vvill  not 
permit  me  to  attend  the  tiag  presentation  to  the  regiment.  It  will  cairy  with  it  to  the 
tield  my  cordial  wishes  for  its  success,  and  the  assurance  that  the  alacrity  with  which 
the  colored  classes  in  this  State  are  coming  forward  to  co-operate  in  putting  down  the 
Rebellion  will  secure,  as  it  deserves,  the  lasting  gratitude  of  the  country. 

I  am  truly  yours, 

John  A.  Dix,  Major-General. 

THE  COLLATION  AT  THE  SQUARE. 

'  After  the  presentation  ceremony  was  over,  the  men  stacked  arms,  and  partook  of  a 
collation  provided  for  them.  Corpulent  cans  of  coffee  and  fat  baskets  of  sandwiches  were 
carried  into  the  square,  and  their  contents  generously  distributed  among  the  sable 
soldiers.  They  ate  heartily,  and  were  not  backward  in  expressing  their  sentiments  in 
relation  to  the  reception  they  had  met.  "  This  is  what  we  get  for  being  soldiers."  "  If 
Uncle  Sam  treats  us  in  this  way,  wc  should  like  to  board  with  him."  "  Hurrah  for  the 
Committee."  "This  doesn't  look  like  July."  "  How  arc  you,  rioters!"  "  Three  cheers 
for  the  ladies."  "  That  {lag  is  a  big  thing,  boys."  "  AVe'll  show  the  Copperheads  what 
we  can  do  for  freedom  when  we  get  a  chance."  "  That  was  a  jolly  speech  made  by  our 
Colonel."  '■  Didn't  Professor  King  talk  like  a  book,"  &c.  We  might  till  a  column  with 
the  remarks  made  by  these  men  during  the  few  minutes  allowed  for  lunch,  showing 
their  appreciation  of  the  ovation  which  had  been  tendered  to  them,  and  the  great  ad- 
vancement made  in  public  opinion  in  regard  to  their  race. 

After  luncheon,  march  was  resumed  in  the  following  order  : 

THE    PROCESSION. 

Police  Superintendent  Kennedy. 

One  Hundred  Policemen. 

Members  of  the  Union  League  Club. 

Colored  Friends  of  the  Recruits,  marching  with  hands  joined. 

Governor's  Island  Band. 

The  20th  Regiment  United  States  Colored  Troops. 

The  line  of  march  was  down  Broadway  to  Canal  street,  through  Canal  street  to  the 

North  River,  where  they  embarked  on  l)oard  the  Ericsson  for  New  Orleans.     The  men 

made  a  tine  appearance  in  their  blue   uniform,  white  gloves  and  white  leggings.     They 

are  hearty  and  athletic  fellows,  many  of  them   six  feet  tall,  straight,  and  .symmetrical. 

A  majority  of  them  are  black  ;  indeed  there  are  but  few  mulattoes  among  them.     The 

20th  is  emphatically  an  African  regiment,  and  to  its  credit  be  it  .spoken,  not  one  of  its 

members  disobeyed  orders,  no  one    broke  ranks  to   greet  enthusiastic  friends,  no  one 

used  intoxicating  drinks  to  excess,  no  one  manifested  the  least  inclination  to  leave  the 

service,  and  their  marching  was  very  creditable. 


20 

The  inarch  was  truly  a  magniticont  demonstration  and  a  triumphant  sign  to  progress. 
One  thousand  men  with  black  skir.s,  whose  color  has  been  a  crime  in  the  eyes  of  multi- 
tudes of  whites,  marched  without  molestation  from  the  wharf  where  they  landed,  through 
Twenty-sixth  Street,  the  Fifth  Avenue,  Lexington  Avenue,  Madison  Avenue,  and  Broad- 
way. The  doors,  windows  and  balconies  of  our  city  palaces  were  thronged  with  aristo- 
cratic spectators,  the  ladies  waving  handkerchiefs,  and  the  men  cheering. 

Seven  months  ti(/o,  the  homes  of  these  soldiers  were  attacked  by  rioters,  who  burned 
their  dwellings,  stole  their  property,  and  made  the  streets  smoke  with  the  blood  of  their 
unoffending  relatives  and  friends. 

On  the  t)th  of  July,  Mr.  Geo.  W.  Blunt  met  with  other  gentlemen,  at  the  New  Eng- 
land Rooms,  and  adriiised  Governor  Andreic  not  to  send  the  both  Maasarlinsetts  Colored 
Regiment  through  this  city,  on  their  wat/  to  the  seat  of  war,  became  the  lives  of  colored 
/romen  and  children  here  would  he  endangered.  On  Saturday  Mr.  Blunt  marched  with 
other  members  of  the  club  in  the  van  of  the  grand  procession,  and  saw  no  signs  of  that 
hatred  of  the  black  race  which  has  been  such  a  stigma  of  shame  to  our  city  and  nation. 


THE  TWENTY-SIXTH  REGIMENT  U.  S.  COLORED  TROOPS. 
Presentation  of  Colors — Speech  of  Jonx  Jay,  Es*^. — Reply  of  Col.  Silliman — De- 

PAKTtUE    of    the    ReOIMEST. 

The  26th  Regiment  United  States  Colored  Troops  broke  camp  at  Riker's  Island  at 
an  early  hour  yesterday'  morning,  and  came  b}'  barges  to  the  foot  of  AVarren  street. 
North  River,  where  they  embarked  on  board  the  steamer  Warrior.  The  proposed 
parade  of  Saturday  being  unavoidably  postponed  on  account  of  the  weather,  they  were 
met  by  a  committee  of  the  Union  League  Club,  anil  an  elegant  stand  of  colors  was 
presented  to  them,  on  behalf  of  the  ladies  of  New  York,  by  the  Hon.  John  Jay.  Mr. 
Jay  accompanied  the  presentation  by  the  following  chaste  address  : 

Soldiers  of  the  26<A  Regiment  of  United  States  Colored  Troops:  On  behalf  of  the 
ladies  of  New  York,  who  have  prepared  for  you  a  stand  of  colors,  I  offer  you  a  cordial 
greeting  and  a  hearty  God-speed  ! 

They  had  hoped,  in  common  with  tens  of  thousands  of  our  fellow-citizens,  to  greet 
you  in  person  yesterday.  This,  to  their  exceeding  disappointment,  the  stonu  prevented. 
The  arrangement  of  the  Government  and  the  needs  of  the  coutitry  require  you  to  depart 
to-day.  AYe,  therefore,  come  on  this  beautiful  Easter  morning,  consecrated  to  faith  and 
hope,  to  give  you,  as  you  depart  on  your  sacred  mission  of  iiigh  duty,  our  kind  fare- 
well. AYe  greet  you  as  Christians  for  ages  have  greeted  each  other  on  this  sacred  anni- 
versary of  Christ's  Resurrection.  AYe  invoke  for  you  the  favor  and  protection  of  our 
risen  Lord  triumphant  over  sin  and  death. 

The  President  has  called  upon  you  to  unite  with  your  fellow-citizens  in  defending 
the  integrity,  the  supremacy,  and  the  honor  of  our  country. 

Trusting  implicitly  to  the  National  Faith,  which  the  President,  as  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  has  solemnly  pledged  in  public  Proclamations, 
you  have  promptly  responded  to  that  call ;  and  without  doubt,  hesiLation,  or  condition, 
you  offer  your  lives  for  the  defense  of  our  common  country  and  our  common  freedom. 
Organized  by  the  National  authority,  you  are  henceforth  a  pcrniaaent  part  of  the  army 
of  the  Republic. 

Already  have  thou.sands  of  your  race,  suddenly  elevated  from  a  condition  of  bond- 
age, faced  the  Rebel  cannon  and  sharp-shooters  at  \''icksburg,  Port  Hudson,  Fort 
AYagner,  Milliken's  Bend,  and  other  battle-tields  of  the  South,  with  a  heroism  th.it  has 
extorted  the  admiration  and  the  gratitude  of  the  American  people.  They  have  vindi- 
cated, b}'  the  highest  ordeal,  the  right  and  capacit)'  of  their  race  to  share  with  us  the 
blessings  which  they  have  assisted  to  secure  fur  the  Nation. 

To-day  you  go  forth  from  home,  family  and  friends  to  emulate  their  bright  example, 
and  to  do  bravely,  with  God's  help,  your  part  in  the  great  contest. 

Your  going,  enables  a  thousand  citizens  of  New  York,  liable  to  military  service,  to 
remain  at  home;  and  3'ou  leave  behind  you  tho.se  who  will  watch  with  interest  every 
onward  step  in  your  career,  and  who  will  remember  you  constantly  in  their  pr.iyers. 

If  you  return,  as  God  grant  many  of  yon  may,  crowned  with  glory  an<l  victory, 
you  will  receive  the  warm  welcome  due  to  your  patriotism  and  valor ;  and  if  you  fall,  as 
fall  you  may,  your  memories  will  be  fondly  cherished  with  those  of  the  noble-hearted 
who  have  died  for  their  country. 

[The  speaker  here  read  the  address  of  the  ladies  of  the  City  of  New- York,  accom- 


21 

panying  the  flag.  As  it  is  in  the  same  terms,  and  from  tlie  same  ladies  as  in  the  case 
of  the  20th  regiment,  we  do  not  repeat  it]     Mr.  Jay  continued  : 

CoLONEr.  Silliman:  In  the  names  of  these  ladies  and  at  the  request  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Volunteering  of  the  Union  League  Club,  to  whom  the  countr}^  is  indebted  for 
this  second  regiment  organized  by  their  efforts,  I  have  the  honor  to  present  to  you  this 
stand  of  colors. 

Your  heroic  conduct  on  the  hard  fought  field  of  Gettysburg,  and  at  Chancellors- 
ville,  where  you  saved  the  colors  of  the  12-ith  New  York,  and  brought  out  but  a  rem- 
nant of  your  command,  assures  us  that  we  could  not  intrust  them  to  worthier  hands. 

Our  Republican  system,  which  again  you  go  forth  to  maintain,  while  it  demands 
our  highest  loyalty  to  the  Constitutional  Government  of  the  American  people,  and 
makes  the  preservation  of  their  National  sovereignty  the  first  duty  of  the  American 
citizen,  teaches  us  also  the  lesson  which  we  early  learn  and  never  forget,  of  pride,  re- 
gard, and  affection  for  our  respective  States.  "While,  then,  with  your  gallant  officers 
and  brave  men,  you  follow  the  flag  of  our  country  and  defend  it  with  your  lives,  this 
standard  will  remind  you,  whether  in  camp,  on  the  march,  or  on  the  battle-field,  of  your 
connection  with  New  York,  and  of  the  names  of  her  citizens  who  bid  you  an  aftectionate 
farewell. 

Remember,  Colonel,  and  let  every  officer  and  man  in  your  regiment  reaiember,  that 
when  the  story  of  your  prowess  is  told  by  the  daily  press  or  on  the  page  of  history,  this 
metropolis  will  share  your  triumph,  and  the  Empire  State  count  you  proudly  among  her 
sons. 

Already  has  New  York  a  record  in  this  war  of  which  her  children  may  well  be  proud, 
even  while  they  mourn  her  heroic  dead — EUsworth,  Corcoran,  Zook,  Chapin,  Smith, 
Preissner,  Sherill,  Cowles,  and  all  the  unnumbered  heroes  who  have  fiillen  in  the  nation's 
cause. 

We  offer  to  you.  Colonel,  the  banner  in  its  fresh  silken  beauty,  the  emblem  of  a 
constellation  that  is  for  the  moment  dim,  and  of  a  Union  that  seems  somewhat  shaken. 
Bring  it  to  us  again — tattered,  it  may  be,  and  stained  with  the  life-blood  of  j'ovu-  brave 
soldiers ;  but  brmg  it,  the  emblem  of  a  nationality  unbroken,  of  a  sovereignty  unim- 
paired, of  a  territory  undiminished — the  emblem  of  a  Republic  united  and  supreme,  from 
which,  though  the  stripes  will  have  vanished,  no  star  shall  be  missing. 

The  voice  of  Mr.  Jay  rang  out  clear  and  full  upon  the  Sabbath  air,  and  the  free 
winds  waved  the  new  colors,  while  an  unclouded  sky  crowned  the  picture. 

Col.  SiUiman  repfied  briefly  and  to  the  point : 

Sir  :  The  soldiers  of  the  26th  Regiment  thank  you  for  your  good  words  and  kind 
wishes,  and  I  can  ask  only  that  we  may  realize  your  highest  hopes  of  us. 

What  you  have  said  of  the  men  I  believe  is  God's  truth,  and  it  will  be  the  proudest 
day  of  my  life  when  I  can  show  their  battle  line  to  the  traitor  foe,  and  tell  taem  :  There 
are  they  that  hunt  for  fugitive  slaves ;  let  them  each  find  his  man. 

For  myself,  I  feel  that  what  a  man  has  been  is  nothing  to  what  he  may  yet  be,  and 
by  the  latter  I  will  strive  to  merit  the  honor  so  heaped  upon  me  here  to-day. 

Fair  ladies,  I  cannot  tell  you  how  dear  to  us  will  be  this  banner,  the  gift  of  loyal  women 
of  the  North.  We  love  it,  not  chiefly  for  its  rare  and  costly  beauty,  but  for  what  is  be- 
yond afi  price,  and  more  glorious  than  beauty.  It  is  the  emblem  of  our  faith  in  all  of 
this  life  which  is  worth  living  for.  It  is  to  us  the  symbol  of  redemption  from  bondage, 
differing  from  that  which  is  eternal  only  in  discharge  by  death,  and  as  Christians  love 
the  cross,  so  we  love  our  country's  flag. 

We  thank  you  for  your  generous  gift,  and,  as  soldiers,  we  have  sworn  to  love, 
honor  and  defend  it  with  our  lives. 

After  the  reply  of  Col.  SiUiman,  Vincent  Colyer,"  Esq.,  the  General  Superintendent, 
came  forward  with  a  beautiful  blue  silk  banner,  trimmed  with  gold,  on  which  Avere  in- 
scribed the  words,  "  Unconditional  Loyalty,"  and  on  behalf  of  the  following  named 
Benevolent  Societies  of  Colored  men  of  the  city  of  New  York,  which  were  to  have  acted 
as  an  escort  on  Saturday,  had  not  the  storm  prevented,  in  a  few  brief  and  eloquent 
words  wished  the  soldiers  a  God-speed.  Mi'.  Colyer  then  presented,  thiough  the  Chap- 
lain, a  handsome  satin  rosette  and  badge,  with  the  words  "  Unconditional  Loyalty  to 
God  and  our  Country — to  the  soldiers  of  the  26th  United  States  Colored  Troops — from 
their  friends." 

The  following  is  the  list  of  Benevolent  Societies  contributing :  African  Civilization 
Society,  50  men ;  Freedman's  Aid  Society,  50  men ,  Stewart  Benevolent  Association, 


0,9. 


306  men  •  Chelsea  Musical  Club,  40  men  ,  Coachman's  Society,  175  men  ;  Union  Sons 
of  Barney,  75  men ;  Irving  Hall  Club,  40  men ;  Metropolitan  Union  League  Club,  50 
men-  Shore  Cadets.  120  men;  Hannibal  Benevolent  Association,  175  men  ;  African  So- 
ciety for  Mutual  Ileliuf,  25  men;  Odd  Fellows'  Lodges,  300  men;  Congregation  from 
Brooklyn  (Mr.  Williams.)  50  men.     Total,  1,450. 

The  presentation  scene  was  truly  grand  and  imposmg.  The  wharves  and  neighbor- 
in"  vessels  were  peopled  with  spectators.  On  the  decks  of  the  Warrior  were  a  number  of 
elegantly  dressed  ladies,  several  members  of  the  Loyal  Union  Club,  the  tall  symmetrical 
form  of  "the  gallant  Colonel,  the  black  and  comely  Chaplain,  and  the  whole  regiment  of 
stalwait  negro  soldiers. 

TiiiKTY-FiKST  Regiment  U.  S.  Colored  Troops. 

From  200  to  300  men  are  already  enlisted  for  the  3d  Colored  Regiment  from  this 
State,  known  as  the  Thirty-(iist  Regiment  United  States  Colored  Troops. 

[It  is  estimated  that  probably  two  thousand  colored  men  from  the  State  of  New 
York  enlisted  in  the  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  other  Regiments,  while  the  ques- 
tion of  Colored  Enlistments  was  in  suspense  in  this  State.] 

.^»^^»^ 

The  Colored  Troops— Honorable  Testimonials  from  tue  Army. 
From  the  New  Yorh  Tribune. 

Nothin"-  in  the  whole  course  of  the  great  Rebellion  is  more  remarkable  than  the 
manner  in  which  the  colored  race  has  falsified  the  assertions  of  the  Secessionists  and 
their  Copperhead  sympathizers. 

AVhile  the  records  reck  with  details  of  Rebel  atrocities  during  these  three  years 
of  warfare,  where  is  now  the  evidence  of  outrage  peri)etrated  by  negroes  upon  their 
late  masters  or  their  families?  And  where  is  the  dastard  that  dare  now  impugn  the 
courage  with  which  the  colored  soldiers  have  met  the  brunt  of  battle?  Even  in^the 
late  Florida  campaign,  where  some  of  the  blame  was  at  first  recklessly  thrown  by  Cop- 
perheads upon  the  colored  troops,  the  courage  and  steadiness  of  the  negro  brigade 
actually  furnish  prominent  redeeming  features  of  the  disastrous  enterprise. 

As  a  part,  and  a  most  important  part,  of  the  annals  of  the  times,  it  may  be  stated 
that  never  in  the  history  of  mankind,  has  a  great  social  and  political  convulsion  been 
attended  with  traits  more  creditable  to  a  down-trodden  race,  than  the  moderation  and 
the  bravery  which  have  now  characterized  the  "  men  of  African  descent,"  under  cir- 
cumstances signally  calculated  to  arouse  the  vengeance  and  test,  the  courage  and  other 
finalities  of  the  oppressed.  . 

The  cheerful  labor  and  the  unswerving  fidelity  of  the  colored  population  are  re- 
ceiving proper  acknowledgment  on  all  hands  from  persons  who  have  had  ample  oppor- 
tunities for  witnessing  the  course  of  events  wherever  negro  industry  is  required  on 
abandoned  plantations,  or  wherever  negro  aid  is  invoked  for  guidance  to  the  loyal  troops 
in  regions  where  the  white  man  must  largely  depend  on  negro  sagacity  and  fidelity  in 
counteracting  Rebel  hostilities. 

And  it  is  truly  honorable  to  the  loyal  white  soldiery,  that,  scornmg  the  wretched 
prejudices  and  calumnies  against  the  colored  race,  the  testimony  from  the  Army  is  now 
alike  unanimous  and  enthusiastic  in  praising  the  qualities  shown  by  the  sable  troops 
while  discharging  the  duties  of  the  camp  and  the  march,  and  amid  the  trials  of  the 

battle-field.  .    ^    ^  .,      .    .•        •  , 

On  these  latter  points,  a  couple  of  letters  copied  from  among  the  testimonials 
collected  during  the  researches  of  the  "New-York  Association  for  Colored  Troops,"  may 
be  taken  as  fair  specimens  of  the  replies  elicited  by  the  inquiries  instituted  by  that 
Association,  through  Col.  Charles  W.  Darling,  one  of  its  members : 

From  Col.  John  A.  Foster,  of  the  ]75tii  Regiment,  N.  Y.  V. 

"Washington,  Jan.  23,  1864. 

"Col.  \)ahlisg— Bear  Sir:  In  accordance  with  your  request,  I  will  briefly  state 
my  experience  in  the  employment  of  negro  soldiers. 

"  While  before  Port  Hudson,  during  the  siege  of  that  place,  I  was  acting  on  Col. 
Gooding's  staff,  prior  to  the  arrival  of  my  regiment  at  that  place.  On  the  assault  of  May 
27  Col.  Gooding  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  extreme  right  of  our  lines,  and  oversee 
the  charge  of  the  two  regiments  constituting  the  negro  brigade,  and  I  accompanied 

VllTTl 

* "  We  witnessed  them  in  line-of-battle,  under  a  very  heavy  fire  of  musketry  and 
siege  and  field  pieces.     There  was  a  deep  gully  or  bayou  before  them,  which  they  could 


23 

not  cross  nor  ford  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy,  and  hence  an  assault  was  wholly 
impracticable.  Yet  they  made  five  several  attempts  to  swim  and  cross  it,  preparatory 
to  an  assault  on  the  enemy's  works,  and  this,  too,  in  fair  view  of  the  enemy,  and  at  ^ 
short  musket  range.  Added  to  this,  the  nature  of  the  enemy's  works  was  such,  that  it 
allowed  an  enfilading  fire.  Success  was  inqyossihlc ;  yet  they  behaved  as  cool  as  if  vet- 
erans, and  when  ordered  to  retire,  marched  ofi'  as  if  on  parade.  I  feel  satisfied  that,  if 
the  position  of  the  bayou  had  been  known,  and  the  assault  made  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to 
the  left  of  where  it  was,  the  place  would  have  been  taken  by  this  negro  brigade  on  that 

"On  that  day  I  witnessed  the  attack  made  by  the  divisions  of  Gens.  Grovor  and 
Paine,  and  can  truly  say  I  saw  no  steadier  fighting  by  those  daring  men  than  did  the 
negroes  in  this  their  first  fight.  _  ,  _ 

"On  the  second  assault,  June  14,  in  the  assault  made  by  Gen.  Paine's  Division, 
our  loss  was  very  great  in  wounded ;  and,  as  there  was  a  want  of  ambulance  men,  1 
ordered  about  a  hundred  negroes,  who  were  standing  idle  and  unarmed,  to  take  the 
stretchers  and  carry  the  wounded  from  the  field.  Under  a  most  severe  fire  of  musketry 
and  grape  and  canister,  they  performed  this  duty  with  unflinching  courage  and  non- 
chalance. They  suffered  severely  in  this  duty,  both  in  killed  and  wounded ;  yet,  not  a 
man  faltered.  These  men  had  just  leen  recruited,  and  were  not  even  partially  disci- 
plined. But  one  man  showed  aiiy  fear,  and  he  tlieir  white  officer.  Much  of  their  cool- 
ness was  due  to  a  captain  with  them,  who  was  always  foremost  in  his  duty. 

"  I  next  saw  the  negroes  (engineers)  working  in  the  trenches,  under  a  heavy  fire 
of  the  enemy.  They  worked  faithfully,  and  wholly  regardless  of  exposure  to  the 
enemy's  fire. 

"  After  the  siege  was  over,  and  the  new  regiments  recruited,  I  had  frequent  oppor- 
tunities to  see  the  regiments,  and  was  peculiarly  struck  with  their-iieatness  and  general 
soldier-like  bearing.  They  always  were  clean  and  neat— their  arms  and  accoutrements 
in  perfect  order — and  this  in  a  higher  degree  than  their  white  fellow-soldiers. 

"  The  chief  difficulty  in  the  way  of  having  them  as  effective  as  they  can  be  rendered, 
will  be  in  the  selection  of  officers.  Although  the  Department  strives  to  have  none  but 
those  of  the  highest  qualifications,  yet,  even  then,  rough  and  severe  brutal  officers  are 
to  be  found  in  command  over  them.  I  have  had  repeated  instances  of  absolute  brutality 
told  me  by  persons  who  have  witnessed  it.  In  my  opinion,  some  remedy  is  required 
more  than  is  now  furnished  by  the  Army  Regulations:  for  the  negro  knows  not  where 
or  to  whom  to  apply  for  redress,  and  in  fact  is  generally  ignorant  that  he  can  obtain 
any  redress.  "  I  remain,  yours,  truly, 

"John  A.  Foster,  Col.  175th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  V." 

Statements  Authorized  bv  Gen.  Graham. 

"  Headquarters  Naval  Brigade,  ) 

"  Department  op  Virginia  and  Nortu  Carolina,      [- 

"  Norfolk,  Va.,  Feb.  22,  1804.        _  ) 

"Colonel:  Gen.  Graham  duly  received  your  favor  of  the  11th  inst,  requesting 
such  facts  as  have  come  within  his  knowledge  relative  to  the  efficiency  of  Colored  Troops. 
At  the  General's  desire,  I  have  collected  what  information  I  could  obtain  here  on  the 
subject. 

"  Gen.  Graham  has  never  personally  commanded  Colored  Troops  ;  but,  from  obser- 
vation and  conversation  with  officers  who  have,  he  entertains  a  very  favorable  opinion 
of  their  qualifications  in  the  field. 

"They  are  excellent  horsemen,  and  consequently  excel  in  the  cavalry  service. 
They  possess  strong  imitative  powers,  which  readily  enable  them  to  acquire  a  profi- 
ciency in  drill — conform  willingly  to  habits  of  discipline  and  obedience— and,  above  all, 
are  stimulated  by  the  motive  of  emulating  the  example  of  their  white  c(jmrades  in  arms. 

"They  present  a  soldierly  appearance  on  parade — are  inured  to  privation  and 
fatigue,  and,  in  the  estimation  of  those  who  have  witnessed  their  conduct  under  fire, 
exhibit  a  coolness,  courage  and  enthusiasm  worthy  of  the  highest  commendation. 

"  Unquestionably,  they  will  prove  a  valuable  acquisition  to  our  armies — nerved  as 
they  are  by  every  incentive  which  stimulates  men  to  endeavor. 

"Mr.  Thomas  Jackson,  Superintendent  of  the  First  Sub-District  of  Virginia,  has 
kindly  furni.shed  me  with  the  following  facts  : 

" '  In  reply  to  your  inquiry  as  to  the  proved  capacity  of  colored  men  as  soldiers,  1 
can  only,  so  far  as  field  service,  give  the  testimony  of  those  who  have  had  opportunities 
of  seeing  them  on  the  march  and  in  presence  of  the  enemy.  There,  all  agree  that  as 
soldiers,  colored  men  come  fully  up  to  the  expectations  of  their  warmest  friends. 


24 

" '  In  my  sub-district,  where,  during  the  last  summer  and  fall,  the  noted  partisan 
ranger,  Burroughs,  kept  up  constant  excitement,  there  are  a  number  of  farms  lying 
outside  of  the  intrenched  lines  around  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth ;  and,  as  jjrotcction 
an'ainst  incursions,  the  able-bodied  black  men  on  these  farms  were  enrolled  as  a  Home 
Guard,  and  placed  under  the  charge  of  an  olliccr  of  the  21st  Connecticut  Volunteers. 

" '  After  a  day's  work,  those  men  met  for  drill  one  hour  daily,  and  their  progress 
was  surprising.  These  men  stood  regular  sentry  every  night,  during  all  weather.^ 
though  indifiercntly  clad  ;  and  not  one  case  occurred  of  absence  from  post  or  neglect  of 
duty;  their  error,  if  anj',  being  too  literal  a  construction  of  orders,  much  to  the  disgust 
of  the  Virginia  chivalry. 

"  '  When  volunteers  were  called  for,  almost  every  man  so  drilled  ofTered  himself  for 
enlistment,  without  any  inducement  or  bounty,  except  the  promised  support  of  his 
family  during  his  term  of  service,  thus  evincing  a  true  patriotism.' 

"The  regiments  of  colored  troops  raised  in  this  district  of  the  Department  of  Vir- 
ginia and  North  Carolina  are  as  follows :  The  2d,  4th,  oth,  0th,  10th,  3Gth  and  38th 
U.  S.  Colored  troops,  and  also  the  2d  Regiment  of  cavalry. 

"The  3Gth  Regiment,  Col.  Draper,  did  more  to  break  up  roving  bands  of  rebels  in 
this  district,  than  any  regiment  of  white  troops— not  the  least  notable  of  its  exploits 
being  the  capture  of  Burroughs,  the  guerrilla,  at  his  chosen  place  of  safety  on  Knot 
Island.  During  this  expedition,  and  on  subsequent  scouts,  as  far  as  Currituck  Court- 
House,  nothing  could  be  better  than  their  endurance  in  marching  and  rapidity  of  move- 
ment. 

"  During  the  expedition  last  October,  to  Charles  City  Court-Housc,  on  the  Penin- 
sula, the  4th  Regiment  marched  steadily  through  storm  and  mud ,  and,  on  coming  up 
with  the  enemy,  behaved  as  bravely  under  fire  as  veterans.  An  officer  of  the  1st  N.  Y. 
Mounted  Rifles — a  mo.st  bitter  opponent  and  reviler  of  Colored  troops — who  was  engaged 
in  this  affair,  colantecred  the  statement  that  they  had  fought  bravely,  and,  in  his  own 
language,  more  expressive  than  elegant,  were  'bully  boys' — which,  coming  from  such 
a  source,  might  be  regarded  as  the  highest  praise. 

"It  would  thus  seem  that,  among  friends  and  foes,  there  is  but  one  sentiment  on 
the  subject  of  the  capacity  of  colored  soldiers.  , 

"  During  the  recent  advance  toward  Richmond,  to  liberate  the  Union  prisoners, 
the  4th,  5tb,  and  9th  Regiments  formed  part  of  the  expedition,  and  behaved  splendidly. 
They  marched  thirty  miles  in  ten  hours,  and  an  unusually  small  number  straggled  on 
the  route.     Their  skirmishing  in  l;ice  of  the  enemy  was  said  to  be  excellent. 

"  As  scouts  they  arc  invaluable,  having  an  extraordinary  facility  for  gaining  secret 
intelligence.  AVherever  they  go,  they  find  friends  of  their  own  color,  whose  interests 
are  identical  with  their.^,  and  they  can  thus  acquire  information  where  the  most  acute 
white  man  would  fail. 

"  As  guides,  their  good  qualities  are  acknowledged  on  every  hand. 
"  As  laborers  for  engineering  purposes,  their  usefulness  is  evident,  particularly  in 
southern  latitudes. 

"  One  incident  deserves  mention.  When  General  Wild  was  threatened  at  North- 
West  Landing,  a  part  of  his  command  (colored),  which  had  been  directed  to  proceed 
slowly  on  account  of  being  footsore — their  pace  not  to  exceed  four  miles  per  day — 
marched  eighteen  miles  in  seven  hours  to  his  support  with  alacrity,  expecting  to  meet 
the  enemy,  and  eager  for  the  fray. 

"  A  strong  point  in  their  favor  is  the  complete  absence  of  revengeful  feelings  toward 
their  late  masters,  so  that  the  cry  of  'St.  Domingo  massacre'  is  without  the  slightest 
ioundation. 

"  Hoping  that  the  above  information  will  prove  serviceable  for  the  purposes  of  the 
"Association.  "  I  am  truly  yours,  "  D.  Guauam  Adee. 

"  Col.  CiiAKLES  W.  Darling." 

Such  testimonials  must  be  peculiarly  gratifying  to  all  loyal  people  who  have  en- 
couraged the  organization  of  Colored  Troops  in  this  State,  to  one  of  the  regiments  of 
which  troops  (the  2()tli)  a  stand  of  colors  will  be  presented  this  day  at  Union  scjuare, 
near  where  sundry  sable  citizens  were  massacred  last  summer,  for  the  crime,  in  Copper- 
head eyes,  of  appearing  in  the  color  bestowed  by  the  Almighty. 

SERVICES  OF  THE  JOINT  COMMITTEE  ON  VOU'NTEEUINQ. 
This  brief  record  cannot  be  concliKlcd  witliout  bii  expression  of  lienrty  tb.aiikfiilne.'s  towards  (ho  excellent 
"  Conimiltce  on  Volinitecring,'''  wliioli  suporlntenibii  tlie  orgnnizalion  ot  tlio  Colored  Troops  in  the  City  of 
Now  York.    Tlml  Coinnilttee  consiM.s  of  die  followini;  ircnllenun: 

Alexander  V:ia  IJent^ilaer,  Cbnrle.'^  1'.  Kirkhuid,  l.e£,'raiid  IJ.  Cannon,  James  A.  Eoosevelt,  Suerraan  J. 
Bacon   Elliot  C.  C'owdln,  and  Ocor^'o  Bliss,  Jr.— on  behalf  of  the  "  Vnhyn  League  Club." 

And  Jack.son  a  Schulti!,  Edward  Cromwell,  and  James  Eodgera— on  behalf  of  tbo  "  iV«c  YorA- Aisociatton 
Jot  Colored  VoUdUeern." 


UNVERaiTY  OF  ILUNOtt-URBANA 


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